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First Edition, First Issue on thicker paper with one blank leaf at rear and no ads with the original endpapers. Presentation copy signed by the author, Bram Stoker, to Frank A. Munsey (1854-1925), the great American newspaper and magazine publisher. Inscribed: �Frank A. Munsey from Bram Stoker, 22.6.97.� Undoubtedly, Stoker presented the book to Munsey in an unsuccessful hope that Munsey would serialize Dracula in one of his magazines. Munsey�s pulp magazines Argosy, Munsey's Magazine, All-Story Magazine all had distinguished records of printing fantasy fiction. This book is beautifully bound in a modern full black morocco leather binding with gilt-stamped red labels, raised bands, and tooling. With gilt inner dentelles with terrific blood red marbled endpapers. Enclosed in a matching morocco and cloth clamshell box.

"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.