POWERS OF DARKNESS: A COLLECTION OF UNEASY TALES
London: Philip Allan, 1934. First Edition. Anthology of ten stories, issued as ninth of the fourteen-volume Creeps series published between 1932-36. Notable for containing the first appearance in book format of Lord Dunsany's story "The Two Bottles of Relish." "The story, an unqualified tour de force, has an interesting and revealing history. Lord Dunsany was amused to notice that people were reading gruesome stories of murder in preference to his own more delicate tales. He wondered if he could write a story "gruesome enough for them"...The story proved "gruesome enough" - indeed, it far exceeded Lord Dunsany's original intent. Editors were fascinated by the tale, but they frankly confessed it made them ill. As a matter of fact, no male editor in England or America would publish the story. Finally, a woman dared - Lady Rhondda, who printed it in "Time and Tide," November 12-19, 1932" (Queen's Quorum, pp.91-92). Joshi & Schweitzer 280b; Barron, Horror Literature 3-23. Item #5312
First Impression. Octavo (18.75cm); teal cloth, with titles stamped in black on spine; dustjacket; [4],5-244 + [12]pp ads. Some dust-soil and faint foxing to upper and right edge of textblock, else Near Fine. In the first issue dustjacket, priced 2/6 net at mid-spine and front flap, with no mention of the Creeps Series; lower front flap clipped, light wear and some gentle sunning to spine, faint foxing, with a few tiny nicks and tears, four tape-mends on verso, and two tiny spots of purple touch-up; Very Good.
Price: $1,000.00