L. W. Currey, Inc.

Blatchford, Robert, writing as "Nunquam." FANTASIAS. By Nunquam [pseudonym]. London: John Heywood. Manchester: Deansgate and Ridgefield, 1892. Octavo, pp. [1-5] 6-199 [200: ads], flyleaves at front front and rear, illustrated with fourteen vignettes(some by "W.P.", others by "B" -- Blatchford?), three-quarter brown leather and maroon pebbled cloth, front panel stamped in gold, all edges gilt, slate gray coated endpapers. First edition. This may have appeared originally in wrappers (on the other hand, the quality of the binding and relative ornateness of the stamping suggest this may have been a special issue by the publisher). A mixed collection of stories, sketches and poems -- fourteen pieces in all, each illustrated with an amusing line drawing. Two of the stories are fantastic: "Romeo," an animal fable; and "The Studio," a ghost story. Most of the material shows the author's strong interest in social reform. Blatchford, under his "Nunquam" pseudonym, edited the weekly socialist newspaper, the Clarion. A later, expanded edition of FANTASIAS appeared in 1895, lacking six of the stories here and adding fourteen others. Bleiler (1948), p. 54 (citing the 1895 edition). Not in Reginald (1979; 1992). Leather worn at spine ends and rubbed at lower front corner tip and along outer joints, hairline crack along inner front hinge, cloth a bit soiled, still a sound, very good copy overall. Scarce. (#118383).

Price: $150.00