Books

First collected edition. Extra-illustrated with 8 ink drawings by Stuart Wotton, circa 1942, with an inserted leaf of quotations. Title page with added ink notation by the artist. xii, 646, [1] pp. 1 vols. 8vo. This extra-illustrated copy of the first collected edition of James classic tales includes a portrait of James, signed by the artist Stuart Wotton and dated '42, and seven other fine pen and ink drawings (some partly colored), including two for "Canon Alberic s Scrap Book", and single drawings for "Count Magnus", "The Rose Garden", "Martin s Close", "The Residence at Whitminster", and "A Warning to the Curious". With an inscription from the artist, "To my friend Bill with all good wishes, Stuart" and with the circular ink stamps of William Lees, Manchester, on front endpapers. With a studied inscription not in the author s hand on flyleaf, With kind regards M. R. James 29 Apr. 31. Stuart B. Schimmel, who collected M.R. James assiduously, also had a notable collection of forgeries, much of which was sold at auction (Bonhams 23 May 2012). This copy of the Collected Ghost Stories was with the M.R. James material, sold posthumously. The original illustrator of Ghost Stories of an Antiquary, James McBryde, was a younger friend of the author who died suddenly in 1904 having completed only four drawings; James declined to have other illustrations commissioned during his lifetime. His stories were, accordingly, ripe for interpretation by artists, including the highly talented Stuart Wotton who has completed these drawings. Lovecraft, Supernatural Horror in Literature (1973), pp. 100-105; Rogers 357 Black cloth lettered in gilt. Minor shelf wear, overall about very good. lower inner hinge repaired and page [647] trimmed and mounted. Bookplate of Stuart Schimmel Extra-illustrated with 8 ink drawings by Stuart Wotton, circa 1942, with an inserted leaf of quotations. Title page with added ink notation by the artist. xii, 646, [1] pp. 1 vols. 8vo.