MARSH, Richard (pseudonym of Richard Bernard Heldmann, 1857-1915). The Beetle. A Mystery. London: Skeffington & Son, 1897.
8vo. 4 plates after John Williamson. Original red pictorial cloth stamped in black, grey and green, lettered in gilt on upper cover and spine (spine slightly leaned and a bit darkened, hinges partially starting near ends, a touch of rubbing to fore-corners and ends). Provenance: sold, Bertram Rota Bookseller (autograph letter signed to client Paul Hall, 12 February 1940); Paul Hall (recipient of letter); Norman Dodge (autograph letter signed to Mr. Hall declining the book); John Talbot Gernon (leather bookplate).
FIRST EDITION, of the supernatural masterpiece about a tale of a shapeshifting Egyptian creature seeking revenge. Published in September 1897, just two months after Bram Stoker's Dracula, The Beetle is ranked by H.P. Lovecraft on the same level. Its immediate success initially outsold the vampire's tale and was reprinted fifteen times by 1913. Barron, Horror 3-141; Bleiler, Supernatural 1111; Locke I, p.151; Tymn, Horror 3-162.
Selections from the Library of Dr. John Talbot Gernon
