Books

STOKER, Bram. Dracula. Westminster: Archibald Constable and Company, 1897. First edition. With the first issue points of thick uncoated wove paper copy and no publisher's catalog at the end. But with The Shoulder of Shasta advertisement on p. [392]. Octavo (7 1/2 x 5 inches; 190 x 125 mm). ix, [1], 390, [1, blank], [1, advertisement] pp. Original yellow cloth. Boards ruled and lettered in red-orange. Spine lettered in red-orange. Edges uncut. Spine very slightly darkened. Some minimal soiling to covers. Previous owner's ink signature on front free endpaper. Embossed stamp of W.H. Smith & Son, London, on front free endpaper. Overall, an exceptional copy of a book usually found very worn and soiled. About fine, with no restoration or coloring. Housed in a quarter black morocco clamshell case. "The world's most influential and enduring supernatural novel of vampirism, starring the most celebrated and evocative character in macabre literature" (Dalby). "Although not an instant success, during Bram Stoker's lifetime, sales of Dracula were steady, resulting in eight editions. Since his death in 1912 the book has never been out-of-print, has inspired numerous stage and film adaptations and has remained hugely influential in popular culture." (Sotheby's) "According to Bram Stoker's son Noel, the genesis of Dracula was a terrifying dream about a vampire king rising from his tomb, brought on by eating too much lobster. 3,000 copies of Dracula were sent to bookstores on 26 May 1897, and although reviews were mixed, Stoker's mother Charlotte wrote to him: 'My dear, it is splendid, a thousand miles beyond anything you have written before, and I feel certain will place you very high in the writers of the day the story and style being deeply sensational, exciting and interesting. No book since Mrs. Shelley's Frankenstein or indeed any other at all has come near yours in originality, or terror.'" (Christie's). The bibliographical research on this very important title is surprisingly meager, but the following sequence is agreed upon among the most experienced dealers who have handled many copies of the book: first issue without the Shoulder of Shasta ad on p. [392]; second issue with this ad but no catalogue inserted at back; third issue with Shoulder of Shasta ad on p. [392] and the catalogue (with no general date but clearly from 1897; and fourth issue with inserted catalogue dated 1898. Dalby 10(a). HBS 69224. $27,500.

"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.