odell barry (34 risultati)

Condizione: Fair. 1907. No Edition Remarks. 80 pages. No dust jacket. Green cloth. Slight cracking to hinges, with exposed netting, pages remain attached. Pages have light tanning and foxing throughout. Pencil inscription and sticker to front pastedown and endpaper. Boards have light shelf-wear with corner bumping. Slight crushing to spine ends. Splits to spine ends causing cloth to be frayed.

Octavo, pp. [i-vii] viii [1] 2-215 [216: blank] [note: title leaf is a cancel mounted on a stub; signature "O" apparenty reprinted (no printer's imprint on page 215 and page 216 blank)], inserted frontispiece with illustration by C. W. Furse, original black cloth, front and spine panels printed in black, top edge stained black, other edges untrimmed. First edition, second issue. Pain's second book, first published in 1892 by Henry & Co. An early collection of sentimental pieces, including fantasies "The Glass of Supreme Moments" and "Exchange." "Morbid, bittersweet pieces, more fin de siecle than his later work." - Robert Knowlton. Ashley, Who's Who in Horror and Fantasy Fiction, p. 143. Bleiler, The Guide to Supernatural Fiction 1277. Sullivan (ed), The Penguin Encyclopedia of Horror and the Supernatural, p. 143. Wilson, Shadows in the Attic, p. 400. See Survey of Modern Fantasy Literature IV, pp. 1662-64. Bleiler (1978), p. 153. Reginald 11122. Hubin (1994), p. 624. NCBEL IV 698. Cloth worn at spine ends and corner tips, cloth worn along outer rear joint, scuffs and scratches to cloth, a solid reading copy. An uncommon issue of this book. (#171268).

Octavo, pp. [1-2] [i-iv] v-viii [ix-x] 1-263 [264: blank], 84 illustrations by Tom Browne, original red cloth, front stamped in white and black, spine stamped in black. First U.S. edition. "Ansteyan fantasy about a ring which causes each of its owners to take on the personality traits of the previous one. The central motif is more interesting than the ones tiredly exhibited by the common run of Ansteyan pastiches." Barron (ed), Fantasy Literature 3-282. Bleiler, The Guide to Supernatural Literature 1279. Clute and Grant (eds), The Encyclopedia of Fantasy, p. 742. Wilson, Shadows in the Attic, p. 401. Bleiler (1978), p. 153. Reginald 11120. NCBEL IV 698. Slight spine lean, light wear at upper spine end, spine panel a bit darkened, some of the perishable white chalk lettering on the front panel rubbed away, a very good copy. (#167358).

Octavo, pp. [i-vi] vii [viii] 1-134 [135] [136: printer's imprint] [note: bound up without a leaf of ads that preceded the half title leaf], original (?) light blue cloth with cloth title label lettered in gold affixed to spine panel. First edition. Humorous stories told in dialect by a Cockney bus conductor. This book was published as a shilling paperback as well as in a cloth binding priced at two shillings. This binding is contemporary with the book's publication but is probably not the publisher's binding. NCBEL IV 698. Spine panel a bit darkened, a very good copy. (#115624).

Octavo, inserted frontispiece with illustration by Fred Bennett, publisher's pictorial card wrappers printed in red and black. First edition. Fifth of five books in the Eliza series. These comic writings by Pain are still genuinely funny and were reprinted in the 1930s and again in the 1980s as an omnibus volume. NCBEL IV 698. Damp stain with some loss at lower fore-edge corner of front cover and diminishing along the fore-edge margins of the first dozen leaves, a good copy. (#132137).

Hardcover. Condizione: Very Good+. Tom Browne(Artist) (illustratore). First Edition. The One Before by Barry Pain (aka Eric Odell) Tom Browne Art A firm bright copy. Front free endpaper missing. Red pictorial cloth stamped black and white. Humorist. BOOK.

Hardcover. Condizione: Good. First Edition. (no dust jacket) [solid copy, moderately shelfworn, dust-darkening to top of text block, slight fading to spine cloth, a couple of small tears in cloth at top of spine]. One of the more uncommon short-story collections by this prolific author, containing twenty-one tales in all, including several of a semi-fantastical or macabre nature (such as "Post-Mortem," about a depressed poet who plots to fake his suicide and assume a new identity). Although he's occasionally cited as an influence on H.P. Lovecraft, he seems to have more often written in a lighter, somewhat de Maupassantian vein (he even mentions de Maupassant in passing in one story); one contemporary critic cited his "luminous insight into human character seved by a sympathetic and painstaking hand.".

Octavo, pp. [1-2: blank] [i-v] vi [1] 2-310 [311-312: blank], publisher's blue cloth, front panel lettered in black and ruled in blind, spine panel stamped in gold, publisher's monogram stamped in blind on rear panel, bottom edge untrimmed. First edition. Hubin (1994), p. 624. NCBEL IV 698. Cloth spotted and rubbed, spine panel faded, gold stamping on spine panel dull, a sound, good copy. (#171465).

Octavo, inserted frontispiece with illustration by Fred Bennett, original pictorial card wrappers printed in red and black. First edition. Fifth of five books in the Eliza series. "These comic writings by Pain are still genuinely funny and were reprinted in the 1980s as an omnibus volume. The first four are narrated by an office worker who is hanging on by his teeth to a lower rung of the middle class. His misadventures, in London, in the suburbs and on holiday, are deliciously funny for the way he gives himself away as a ridiculous, yet pathetic, figure who is always trying to live beyond his slender means -- financial, intellectual and moral. Eliza is his wife, an eminently sensible and long-suffering woman whose virtues are lost on her husband. The fifth is narrated by their son, a little prig. The faint undertone of desperation gives the comedy some bite. Just as readable and impressive as his horror fiction." - Robert Eldridge. NCBEL IV 698. Spine rubbed at edges, a very good copy. (#132137).

Octavo, pp. [1-6] [1-2] 3-235 [236: printer's imprint] [237-342: ads], four inserted plates with illustrations by Arthur Garratt, original red cloth, front panel stamped in blind, spine panel stamped in black. First edition. Twelve problems solved by the Problem Club. Queen, The Detective Short Story, 84. Hubin (1994), p. 624. Cloth a bit soiled, mostly spine panel, mild wear to cloth at upper spine end, a very good copy. Scarce. (#132084).

Octavo, pp. [1-10] [1-2] 3-199 [200-202: blank] [note: last leaf is a blank], seven full-page illustrations by Wallace Goldsmith, original cloth-backed pictorial boards, printed in red and black. First U.S. edition. First of five books in the Eliza series. "These comic writings by Pain are still genuinely funny and were reprinted not long ago in an omnibus volume. They are narrated by an office worker who is hanging on by his teeth to a lower rung of the middle class. His misadventures, in London, in the suburbs and on holiday, are deliciously funny for the way he gives himself away as a ridiculous, yet pathetic, figure who is always trying to live beyond his slender means -- financial, intellectual and moral. Eliza is his wife, an eminently sensible and long-suffering woman whose virtues are lost on her husband. The faint undertone of desperation gives the comedy some bite. Just as readable and impressive as his horror fiction." - Robert Eldridge. NCBEL IV 698. Binding rubbed at edges, mainly corner tips, a very good copy. (#115620).

Leatherbound. Condizione: NEW. BOOKS ARE EXEMPT FROM IMPORT DUTIES AND TARIFFS; NO EXTRA CHARGES APPLY. Leatherbound edition. Condition: New. Leather Binding on Spine and Corners with Golden leaf printing on spine. Bound in genuine leather with Satin ribbon page markers and Spine with raised gilt bands. Pages: 108. A perfect gift for your loved ones. Reprinted from 1922 edition. NO changes have been made to the original text. This is NOT a retyped or an ocr'd reprint. Illustrations, Index, if any, are included in black and white. Each page is checked manually before printing. As this print on demand book is reprinted from a very old book, there could be some missing or flawed pages, but we always try to make the book as complete as possible. Fold-outs, if any, are not part of the book. If the original book was published in multiple volumes then this reprint is of only one volume, not the whole set. IF YOU WISH TO ORDER PARTICULAR VOLUME OR ALL THE VOLUMES YOU CAN CONTACT US. Resized as per current standards. Sewing binding for longer life, where the book block is actually sewn (smythe sewn/section sewn) with thread before binding which results in a more durable type of binding. Language: English Pages: 108.

Paperback. Condizione: Brand New. 100 pages. 9.00x6.00x0.23 inches. This item is printed on demand.

Octavo, pp. [i-vi] vii-xii 1-230 [231] [232: blank], 87 illustrations by Tom Browne, original pictorial red cloth, front panel stamped in black and white, spine panel stamped in black. First edition. "Ansteyan fantasy about a ring which causes each of its owners to take on the personality traits of the previous one. The central motif is more interesting than the ones tiredly exhibited by the common run of Ansteyan pastiches." Barron (ed), Fantasy Literature 3-282. Bleiler, The Guide to Supernatural Literature 1279. Clute and Grant (eds), The Encyclopedia of Fantasy, p. 742. Wilson, Shadows in the Attic, p. 401. Bleiler (1978), p. 153. Reginald 11120. NCBEL IV 698. Corner tips a trifle soft, a bright, nearly fine copy. (#95557).

Octavo, pp. [1-8] [1-2] 3-261 [262: blank] [263-264: ads] [note: first leaf is a blank], title and half-title pages printed in blue and black, original mottled green cloth, front panel stamped in dark green, spine panel stamped in gold, publisher's monogram stamped in dark green on rear panel. First edition. Mixed collection of romances; title story an absurdly syllogistic utopia in a wicked parody of Swift; "Zero," a clairvoyant bulldog loyal unto death; "In a London Garden," a sequence of short fables, including "The Little Death" and "The Ghostly Music," thanatophilia recalling youthful fantasies. Barron (ed), Fantasy Literature 3-280. Bleiler, The Guide to Supernatural Fiction 1283. Sullivan (ed), The Penguin Encyclopedia of Horror and the Supernatural, p. 143. See Survey of Modern Fantasy Literature IV, pp. 1662-64. Wilson, Shadows in the Attic, p. 401. Sargent, British and American Utopian Literature, 1516-1985, p. 152. Bleiler (1978), p. 153. Reginald 11119. Hubin (1994), p. 624. NCBEL IV 698. Armorial bookplate affixed to front paste-down. Slight spine lean, mild tanning to endpapers and minor foxing to edges of text block, a bright, very good or better copy. (#118830).

Leatherbound. Condizione: NEW. BOOKS ARE EXEMPT FROM IMPORT DUTIES AND TARIFFS; NO EXTRA CHARGES APPLY. Leatherbound edition. Condition: New. Leather Binding on Spine and Corners with Golden leaf printing on spine. Bound in genuine leather with Satin ribbon page markers and Spine with raised gilt bands. Pages: 236. A perfect gift for your loved ones. Reprinted from 1892 edition. NO changes have been made to the original text. This is NOT a retyped or an ocr'd reprint. Illustrations, Index, if any, are included in black and white. Each page is checked manually before printing. As this print on demand book is reprinted from a very old book, there could be some missing or flawed pages, but we always try to make the book as complete as possible. Fold-outs, if any, are not part of the book. If the original book was published in multiple volumes then this reprint is of only one volume, not the whole set. IF YOU WISH TO ORDER PARTICULAR VOLUME OR ALL THE VOLUMES YOU CAN CONTACT US. Resized as per current standards. Sewing binding for longer life, where the book block is actually sewn (smythe sewn/section sewn) with thread before binding which results in a more durable type of binding. Language: English Pages: 236.

Octavo, pp. [i-vii] viii [1] 2-215 [216-224: ads], inserted frontispiece with illustration by C. W. Furse, original maroon cloth, front panel stamped in gold and ruled in blind, spine panel stamped in gold, top edge stained gray, slate coated endpapers. First edition, first issue. The author's second book. Early collection of sentimental pieces, including fantasies "The Glass of Supreme Moments" and "Exchange." "Morbid, bittersweet pieces, more fin de siecle than his later work." - Robert Knowlton. Ashley, Who's Who in Horror and Fantasy Fiction, p. 143. Bleiler, The Guide to Supernatural Fiction 1277. Sullivan (ed), The Penguin Encyclopedia of Horror and the Supernatural, p. 143. Wilson, Shadows in the Attic, p. 400. See Survey of Modern Fantasy Literature IV, pp. 1662-64. Bleiler (1978), p. 153. Reginald 11122. Hubin (1994), p. 624. NCBEL IV 698. Cloth worn at spine ends and corner tips, cloth rubbed along outer joints and fore-edges, cloth a bit soiled and darkened, slight spine lean, inner front hinge cracked but holding tight, vertical crease to rear free endpaper, a solid good copy. (#171143).

Small octavo, pp. [1-4] 5-7 [8] 9-254 [255] [256: blank], original maroon cloth, spine panel stamped in gold, top edge stained brown. First edition. "Pain's last original collection, issued posthumously. Thirteen stories. Several good pieces including 'The Tree of Death,' Oriental fable of arboreal vampire; 'The Reaction,' a drug induces visions of ecstasy, and horror; 'Not on the Passenger-List,' oft-reprinted nautical ghost story." - Robert Knowlton. With a short but insightful preface by series editor F. H. Pritchard. Barron (ed), Horror Literature 3-156. Bleiler, The Guide to Supernatural Fiction 1286. Tymn (ed), Horror Literature 3-193. See Survey of Modern Fantasy Literature IV, pp. 1662-4. Wilson, Shadows in the Attic, p. 401. Bleiler (1978), p. 153. NCBEL IV 697. A fine copy in fine decorated dust jacket. (#118832).

Octavo, pp. [1-6] 11-308 [note: text complete despite gap in pagination], original red cloth, front and spine panels stamped in gold, fore and bottom edges rough-trimmed. First U.S. edition. The Stokes edition is printed from the plates of the UK 1914 Martin Secker edition. "A representative group of sketches and stories by this witty and prolific writer now unjustly neglected. It contains the four stories 'Detection Without Crime' . presented as 'From the Notebook of the Late Horace Fish,' a retired gentleman of insatiable curiosity." - Barzun and Taylor, A Catalogue of Crime 2698. Material representative of Pain's comical style, without any supernatural or fantasy elements. Queen, The Detective Short Story, p. 84. Hubin (1994), p. 624. NCBEL IV 698. A bright, near fine copy. (#118831).

Octavo, pp. [1-4] [1] 2-316 + 32-page publisher's catalogue dated "February 1910" inserted at rear, publisher's decorated red cloth, front and spine panels stamped in gold, bottom edge untrimmed. First edition. A novel set on an insignificant island in the South Seas where English criminals hang out at their private Exiles'Club. "Alfred Noyes was a friend of Pain's and for several summers they were near neighbors at Rottingdean. In Noyes' autobiography, one of the longest chapters is devoted to Pain. Noyes particularly admired Pain's novel THE EXILES OF FALOO, of which he writes: 'It is the story of an island in the Pacific, to which a number of scoundrels of various kinds, together with other men not entirely scoundrels but broken by the law, had escaped "beyond the law's pursuing." They establish a Club, with rules designed for the circumstances, one of which naturally was that no credit should be given. Gradually, through the original flaws in character, the society ends disastrously in conflict with the native population. There is humor and heroism, beauty and tragedy in the tale and, like all great stories, it is a parable'" (Wikipedia). Spine a bit sunned, mild foxing to free endpapers, a very good copy with bright cover stamping. (#171634).

Octavo, pp. [1-8] [1] 2-295 [296: printer's imprint] [note: first leaf is a blank], original pictorial gray cloth, front and spine panels stamped in black. First edition. Weird romance of rustic witchcraft; motifs and imagery drawn from traditional folklore, good local color, plausible dialect. Nicely done. "Excellent witchcraft novel ." - Wilson, Shadows in the Attic, p. 401. Ashley, Who's Who in Horror and Fantasy Fiction, p. 143. Clute and Grant (eds), The Encyclopedia of Fantasy (1997), p. 742. Locke, A Spectrum of Fantasy, p. 171. Bleiler (1978), p. 153. Reginald 01574. NCBEL IV 698. Owner's signature on the front free endpaper. Cloth a bit rubbed at edges, some loss to illustration on front panel (probably where a label was removed), scattered foxing, mostly early and late, front free endpaper tanned, a sound, good copy. (#167359).

First edition. Octavo, pp. [1-8], [1] 2-206 [207: printer] [208: blank], 4 page publisher's catalog inserted at rear, original light blue cloth, front and spine stamped in yellow, purple and black, rear stamped in black. A series of connected stories, Dix helps those in need and also provides spiritual consul, he hears information which helps him in his endeavors as a thief. "A series of adventures suggestive of Raffles, but done in with greater literary art and an ironic turn of mind." - Barzun & Taylor, A Catalogue of Crime (1989), 4014. Laid in to this copy is a signed note from Pain declining a dinner invitation. [Reference: Hubin, p. 624]. Endpapers tanned, foxing to page edges and first few and last few leaves. Cloth rubbed, some soiling to rear cover and some discoloration spots to spine, a very good copy. (20072).

Octavo, pp. [i-ii: blank] [iii-vi] vii-viii 1-343 [344] + 32-page publisher's catalogue for Spring 1912 inserted at rear, publisher's red cloth, front panel stamped in black, spine panel stamped in gold, publisher's monogram stamped in black on rear panel, bottom edges untrimmed. First edition. Mixed collection, mostly light pieces, also a series of moral fables, notably "The Wrong Elixir," which brings death rather than immortality. Thematically similar to earlier fantasies, but no longer ornate and sentimental, rather terse and ironic. Tymn (ed), Horror Literature 3-197. Bleiler (1978), p. 153. Hubin (1994), p. 624. NCBEL IV 698. Private owner's book label affixed to front paste-down. Upper fore-edge corners of about half of the text block a bit rounded (gnawed by a wee beastie?), but a very nice copy overall. This is by far Pain's least common collection of short fiction published in the UK. (#171130).

Single Issue Magazine. Condizione: Good. Sutcliffe, Norman; Sindall, A.W.; Tennant, Dudley; Cleaver, Reginald; Leigh, Conrad; Sherie, E.F.; Gale, W.G.; Peddie, T.H.; De Walton, John (illustratore). First Edition. Generously illustrated with black and white photos and illustrations. Features: The Man Who Fought a Regiment - Bandit, murderer and escaped felon, "human monster" Paul Jawarski was pursued by over 250 heavily-armed policemen; The Optimist - The moving story of a gentleman who thought he could make a profitable living out of elephant-hunting; The Longest Canoe Voyage on Record - Part I - Robert Copeman and John H.E. Nolan set out from Edmonton for the Gulf of Mexico over 6,000 miles away! - article with photos; A Fool Afoot in France - Part III - The continued misadventures of John Gibbons as he tramps from the French coast to Lourdes; "Hitch-Hiking" Across the United States - Alfred Batson hitch-hiked from New York to San Francisco and had some very odd and exciting adventures - includes map and photo; Byways of Old Pekin [Peking / Beijing] - A wonderfully photo-illustrated presentation of the quaint street-life of the unspoiled native quarters of the Chinese capital, where things still go on much as they did in the Middle Ages; What Happened at "Warne's Folly" - A prospector's terrible predicament in an abandoned Queensland mineshaft; The Horns of a Dilemma - A Queensland bushman's amusing account of an argument with a bad-tempered old cow; Saved By Man-Eating Sharks - A deep-sea diver's terrifying experience in the Sulu Sea; "The White Brother of the Sheik" - Part II of W.B. Seabrook's adventurous trip to meet Mitkhal Pasha, Sheik of Sheiks of the Beni Sakhr, with photos; Photo and bried write-up of a large sink hole near Sharon Springs, Kansas; The Mystery of Crocodile Pool - A weird adventure that befell a young police corporal who is now one of the leading officers of the South African C.I.D. 84 pages plus 12 pages of great ads. Unmarked with average wear. A sound vintage copy of this fascinating issue.

Small octavo, pp. [1-6] 7-191 [192], original pictorial yellow cloth, front cover printed in red and black, spine panel printed in black. First edition. In addition to the rare large paper limited issue of 250 copies signed by Pain, there were two issues of the trade copies, some bound in pictorial yellow cloth and the others bound in pictorial wrappers in shilling shocker format, this being one of the hardbound copies. This is Pain's core collection of horror fiction, supernatural and psychological, including classic "The Moon-Slave," woman seduced by the Great God Pan, "The Gray Cat," a loathsome familiar, and "The Undying Thing," a Gothic extravaganza featuring a deathless subterranean werewolf. Impressive range of themes and moods, stylish treatment. See Survey of Modern Fantasy Literature Iv, pp. 1662-64. Barron (ed), Horror Literature 3-156. Bleiler, The Guide to Supernatural Fiction 1278. Clute and Grant (eds), The Encyclopedia of Fantasy (1997), p. 742. Locke, A Spectrum of Fantasy Volume II, p. 88. Sullivan (ed), The Penguin Encyclopedia of Horror and the Supernatural, p. 317. Tymn (ed), Horror Literature 3-196. Wilson, Shadows in the Attic, p. 400. Bleiler (1978), p. 153. Reginald 11123. Hubin (1994), p. 624. NCBEL IV 698. Cloth dusty, spine panel a bit darkened, lettering and illustration on front cover rubbed, but still a very good copy. Clothbound copies of this book are seldom found in decent condition due to the fragile nature of the binding. (#171586).

Octavo, pp. [1-8] [1] 2-320 [first leaf blank except for small "a" on recto] a-g [h]: ads, title page printed in blue and black, original blue-green cloth, front panel stamped in black, spine panel stamped in gold, publisher's monogram on rear panel stamped in black. First edition. "Mixed collection, including excellent weirds 'Smeath,' 'Rose Rose,' 'The Doll,' and 'Linda.' One of Pain's best collections from the standpoint of horror fiction; literate, ironic and vividly nasty in an understated manner." - Robert Knowlton. "The best of Pain's horror fiction." - Sullivan (ed), The Penguin Encyclopedia of Horror and the Supernatural, p. 317. Bleiler, The Guide to Supernatural Fiction 1282. Wilson, Shadows in the Attic, p. 401. Bleiler (1978), p. 153. Hubin (1994), p. 624. NCBEL IV 698. Slight spine lean, cloth rubbed along outer joints, lower front corner tip worn, page edges a bit tanned, a very good copy. (#167360).

Octavo, pp. [1-8] [1] 2-324 [325-328: ads] {note: save for a tiny signature mark on the recto of the first leaf, it is otherwise blank], original black cloth, front and spine panels stamped in gold, top edge stained yellow, other edges untrimmed. First edition. A writer down on his luck repays a doctor who has befriended him by agreeing to submit to a mysterious experiment which will result in his death. The youth receives 8,000 pounds and eight days in exchange for his life and during this period has his first novel accepted by his publisher, is successful in an economic speculation, falls in love, and is reconciled with his estranged father -- but how can he extract himself from his obligation with honor? Praised by George Orwell who called it "a brilliant exercise in the macabre" Basis for A Blind Bargain, a 1922 film starring Lon Chaney. Bleiler (1948), p, 217. Not in Reginald (1979; 1992) or Bleiler (1978). NCBEL IV 698. A hint of tanning to front endpapers, else a bright, fine copy. A elusive book. (#147634).

Cloth. Condizione: Fine-. First Edition. An exemplary example of "Pain's best general short story collection." (Wilson) 8vo: [8],320,[10, advertisements]pp. Publisher's sea green textured cloth, front and back covers stamped in black, spine lettered in gilt, title page (with vignette) printed in blue and black. Light spotting to preliminary pages and fore- and bottom edges, dust-soiled top edge, else a tight, bright, fresh copy, about Fine. Penguin Encyclopedia of Horror and the Supernatural, p. 317. Bleiler Checklist, p. 153. Bleiler (Guide to Supernatural Fiction) 1282. Wilson (Shadows in the Attic), p. 401. Clute and Grant, p. 742. First Edition of the collection of ghost stories widely considered Pain's best. Included are: "'Smeath,' which combines physical horror with the supernatural, tells of a clairvoyant murderer. . . . 'Rose Rose' is based on artistic Bohemia. Rose is so conscientious as a model that after she dies, leaving the picture for which she was posing unfinished, she returns to pose. . . . 'Linda' is a fine story of the purportedly supernatural, probably to be explained by madness. To save Linda from Hell, because she is a witch, her brother murders her." (Penguin Encyclopedia) N. B. With few exceptions (always identified), we only stock books in exceptional condition, carefully preserved in archival, removable polypropylene sleeves. All orders are packaged with care and posted promptly. Satisfaction guaranteed.

First edition. Octavo, pp. [1-8] [1] 2-320 [first leaf blank except for small a on recto] a-g [h]: ads, title page printed in blue and black, original blue-green cloth, front panel stamped in black, spine panel stamped in gold, publishers monogram on rear panel stamped in black, "Mixed collection, including excellent weirds 'Smeath,' 'Rose Rose,' 'The Doll,' and 'Linda.' One of Pain's best collections from the standpoint of horror fiction; literate, ironic and vividly nasty in an understated manner." - Robert Knowlton. "The best of Pain's horror fiction." - Sullivan (ed), The Penguin Encyclopedia of Horror and the Supernatural, p. 317. [Reference: Bleiler, The Guide to Supernatural Fiction 1282. Wilson, Shadows in the Attic, p. 401. Bleiler (1978), p. 153. Hubin (1994), p. 624. NCBEL IV 698]. Two small ink stamps to front paste down, former owner's name to front free endpaper, some general rubbing to cloth, especially to edges, a very good copy. Scarce. (15109).

4pp, 12mo. On four loose leaves. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn, with minor traces of grey paper mount along edges on blank reverses. The poem is titled 'The Dream of Fine Editors | (after the dinner to J. N. Dunn. April 23rd. 1897)'. (At the time of the dinner the Scottish journalist James Nicol Dunn (1856-1919) was on the verge of being appointed editor of the Morning Post, a position he would hold from May 1897 to January 1905.) There is no record of the poem having been published, and it is likely to have been written for after-dinner recitation only. It is 72 lines long, arranged in 18 quatrains. It begins: 'I dreamed I walked the Street of Bouverie | Where are pale lamps that mock the sable night, | "The Halfpenny John", Bradbury et cie | And also "Black & White"' | Walking, I heard a voice behind me say: | "Not vainly are my Hours and minutes spent. | I have a scheme a cert. - can't fail to pay | Three hundred pounds per cent."' The voice is that of the first of the five editors to appear to Pain in the poem, Charles Norris Williamson (1859-1920), editor of 'Black and White': 'fair, frock-coated, tall, | Sanguine, erratic, with enquiring eye | [] | 'Twas he the earliest figure of our past | Who sowed the seed whereof we reap the flow'r'. Williamson departs ('With pince-nez gleaming like an angel's smile | Went C. N. Williamson'), to be replaced by the editor of 'Chapman's Magazine of Fiction': 'O Oswald Crawfurd [(1834-1909)], courtly, consular, | With Fleet Street's maidens circling raind abait'. The third editor is an unnamed 'snappy man [] | And short and sharp barked out his little day; | In all the converse of the C. M. G. | Save that he didn't stay.' The fourth editor 'who stammered, stared with a lack-lustre eye' is also unnamed. He is a disreputable editor: 'Took his own stories, took his sister's too, | Likewise his cousin's, and his aunt's as well. | Sometimes we print them still we're forced to do - | But "Hell!" we murmur, "Hell!"' The final editor is Dunn himself: 'The one that bragged the least and did the most, | Yet left a weekly illustrated place | To take a morning post. | And as I spoke with him, the dream went by, | Through garden windows came the dawning sun | And I was Barry Pain, and knew that I | Had dined with J. N. Dunn'. The poem ends with Pain asking pardon for drinking from 'a strictly "private" bottle': 'Contrition's tear-drop on my eye-lid starts - | Partially drunk, but like the curate's egg, | "Quite excellent in parts"'. See Pain's entry in the Oxford DNB.