THE MYSTERY OF THE SEA: A NOVEL - INSCRIBED
New York: Doubleday, Page & Co., 1902. First Edition. Item #7698
First Printing, preceding the UK edition by ca. 4 months. Octavo (20.25cm); publisher's olive green cloth, with titling and decorations stamped in gilt and dark green on spine and covers; viii,[2],3-498,[2]pp. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front endpaper a week prior to publication to John William Griggs (1849-1927), U.S. Attorney General under William McKinley and the 29th Governor of New Jersey: "John W. Griggs / Late U.S. Attorney General / from Bram Stoker / 22.3.02." Gentle sunning to spine, with a small, faint stain to rear cover, else internally fresh; Near Fine, lacking the rare dustjacket. Housed in a custom clamshell case.
Stoker's ninth novel, a mystery novel filled with adventure, romance, and background supernaturalism, set against the backdrop of the Spanish-American War. Archibald Hunter, an Englishman living in Scotland, meets and falls in love with Marjory Drake, a fiery American heiress who hates Spaniards and who has presented a warship to the U.S. navy. The plot hinges around a trunk containing cryptographic documents written by a Spaniard that lead to a treasure, entrusted by Pope Sixtus V in the 16th century to use against England after the defeat of the Spanish Armada. Hunter, gifted with the second sight, encounters 16th century spirits, seeks the treasure, uncovers a Spanish plot against Drake's life, and rescues her after she was kidnapped. Dalby 13(a); Hubin, p.382; Bleiler, The Guide to Supernatural Fiction 1547. 7698.
Price: $5,500.00