Books

First edition, second (or third) printing. Bound in publisher's mustard cloth lettered and ruled in crimson. pp. [i-vii] viii-ix [x] [1] 2-390 [391: blank] [392: ad for The Shoulder of Shasta] [note: the dedication leaf is tipped in and not part of gathering (A)] + [16]-page catalogue dated 1898 on page 1 inserted at rear. Very Good with darkening to spine, cloth mottled and worn at extremities with rubbing to lettering and heavy soiling, glue repair to front inner hinge. Offsetting to endsheets, contents with several marginal chips and corner creases. Laid in is a 1 p. handwritten letter from Stoker dated 24.3.08. Bibliographically, a complex book: this copy is part of the second printing (or third printing) which printed an advertisement for Stoker's The Shoulder of Shasta on page [392] -- this page is blank in all first printing copies. According to Dalby 10c, this is the "third issue of [the] first edition," but it is a later printing, not a later issue. The most famous and influential of all vampire novels.

"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.