Books

Scarce Early or First American Edition. No statement of printing at copyright page. Recent bibliography has unearthed an edition by The M. F.Mansfield & Co. first printed in 1898 with title page inserted into the printed sheets of Skeffington, the UK publisher. The binding was same as UK. Supernatural thriller, involving a mysterious "oriental" figure who follows a British politician to London where he causes trouble with his powers of hypnosis and shape shifting. Published the same year as "Dracula" and more famous at the time. Written under a pseudonym of prolific British novelist, Richard Helman. Octavo, original blue cloth with illustration stamped in orange and gilt lettering to front cover and spine. Very Good to Near Fine with modest to moderate foxing to early pages, wear to cloth at edges, rear inner hinge very mildly cracked to show webbing, modest surface wear.

Written by Richard Marsh, 'The Beetle' is a supernatural tale published in 1897, overlapping with Bram Stoker's release of 'Dracula'. The novel delves into horror and mystery, involving a shape-shifting creature that terrorizes London, while simultaneously exploring themes of colonialism and cultural anxieties.