Books

The scarce first edition of English author and medievalist scholar M. R. James's second collection of ghost stories. The scarce first edition of this work.Known as the originator of the 'antiquarian ghost story genre' with the 1904 publication of his 'Ghost Stories of an Antiquary', James's works are significant in redefining the ghost story for a new century, abandoning established cliches in favour of a more realistic style.Containing seven short horror tales by James: 'A School Story'; 'The Rose Garden'; 'The Tractate Middoth'; 'Casting the Runes'; 'The Stalls of Barchester Cathedral'; 'Martin's Close', and 'Mr Humphreys and His Inheritance.'With a twenty-four page publisher's catalogue to the rear.With a contemporary ink inscription to the front free endpaper, dated December 25th 1911, and a Blackwell's bookseller's label to the front pastedown.A first edition collection of seven classic Jamesian tales. In the publisher's original cloth binding. Bumping to back strip head and tail, with small split to the cloth at the centre of rear joint. Discolouration to back strip, with a mark to the tail of the front board. Rear hinge starting, with board holding firm. Inscription to front free endpaper. Bookseller's label to front pastedown. Internally, binding lightly strained. Spotting throughout, most concentrated to the start of the work. Final leaf of advertisements unopened. Good.