Books

Occult novel in which a bizarre female creature transforms herself into a beetle and seeks revenge for an Egyptian cult. Illustrations by John Williamson. Small illustration & device to each of the 4 sections plus 1 full-page illus (op p155). Eighth Edition. Skeffington & Son, London 1901. illus viii + 351 + 1pp Opinions of the Press hb NO Dust-wrapper, pictorial red cloth (Beetle as the first edition), spine shaken covers rubbed, pages browned with a few creased, inscription, impressed on fep a small family heraldry shield showing Lion rampant with a creature(?) above with the motto, Malo Mori Quam Foedari (The motto translates as "I would rather die than be dishonored" used by the Order of the Ermine [L?Ordre de l?Hermine] was a chivalric order created in 1464 by King Ferdinand I of Naples and used as a secret password by the Nazarenos, a group of Spanish revolutionaries in the 19th century), minimal pencilling, overall vg.

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.