4to (248 x 159 mm). (Light intermittent spotting throughout.) Modern full calf with morocco overlays in green, black, ivory, yellow, and gold depicting Fortunato wearing his jester's hat.

FIRST PRINTING of one of Edgar Allan Poe's most famous stories. "The Cask of Amontillado" was written in response to an 1846 novel by Poe's rival, Thomas Dunn English, which prominently featured an abusive drunkard named Marmaduke Hammerhead who was prone to shouting "Nevermore!" and referring to "the lost Lenore" ad nauseam. Despite having successfully sued English and his editors for libel Poe included numerous direct references to English's novel throughout the story, which was published only twice before Poe's death in October 1849. Heartman and Canny, 201.