Books

FIRST EDITION THUS; leather-bound, hardcover, quarto (27 x 18 x 4cm), pp. xi, 410. English text, with an introduction by Anthony Boucher, illustrated with numerous wood engravings by Felix Hoffmann. Stunningly bound in full black morocco by Jason Patrician of The Fish Bindery, the front cover with a double-portrait in white morocco onlay, the spine with red onlay of dripping blood lettered in gilt, the rear cover with red and cream/brown onlays depicting splattered blood and wooden stake. All page edges dyed black. Marbled and black endpapers. Half-title. Title-page printed in red and black. Presented in a custom-made folder. Condition: FINE. An immaculate copy in a beautiful binding.

"Dracula" by Bram Stoker is a gothic horror novel that follows the story of Count Dracula, a vampire who seeks to spread his curse from Transylvania to England. Jonathan Harker, a young solicitor, visits Dracula's castle to assist with a real estate transaction, only to discover the terrifying truth about the Count. Dracula arrives in England, preying on innocent victims while evading detection by transforming into different forms. He targets Lucy Westenra, whose friends and suitors, including Dr. John Seward, Arthur Holmwood, and Professor Abraham Van Helsing, join forces to thwart the vampire's evil intentions. Structured as a collection of diary entries, letters, newspaper clippings, and ship's logs, "Dracula" introduces various themes such as the clash between modernity and ancient superstitions, the fear of the unknown, the allure of the forbidden, and the struggle between good and evil. Stoker's novel is significant for several reasons. First published in 1897, "Dracula" helped shape the modern vampire genre and established many conventions associated with vampires in popular culture, including their aversion to garlic, the use of wooden stakes, and their ability to transform into bats. Moreover, the character of Count Dracula has become an iconic figure in literature and entertainment, influencing numerous adaptations in films, television, theater, and literature. Thematically, "Dracula" delves into Victorian anxieties about sexuality, morality, and the changing social dynamics of the time. It explores the fears and desires of a society grappling with scientific advancements, the decline of traditional values, and the challenges posed by foreign influence. Stoker's skillful narrative, combined with the enduring appeal of the vampire archetype, has secured "Dracula" as a seminal work in gothic literature, leaving an indelible mark on both literary canon and popular culture, influencing subsequent generations of writers and artists exploring the supernatural and macabre.