THE ROMANCIST, AND NOVELIST'S LIBRARY: THE BEST WORKS OF THE BEST AUTHORS. Volumes I-IV. London: J. Clements, 1839-1840. Large octavo, four volumes (104 issues) in two: [1-4] [1] 2-412 [1-4] [1] 2-412]; [1-4] [1] 2-411 [412] [1-4] [1] 2-411 [412], printed in triple columns, early publisher's bind-up in pebbled dark blue cloth with gold stamped spines. First edition. First two volumes edited anonymously, last two credited to William Hazlitt, the younger. "This remarkable collection contains several score novels and short stories, including sentimental, supernatural, Gothic, and Romantic material." - Bleiler, Guide to Supernatural Fiction 783. "Compendium of Gothics and legendary tales inspired by German and Celtic folklore. Some familiar items such as Polidori's THE VAMPIRE, Walpole's THE CASTLE OF OTRANTO, Irving's 'Rip Van Winkle,' but many others are rare and obscure in the extreme. An invaluable resource of Gothic and Romantic materials from the late eighteenth century through the early nineteenth." - Robert Knowlton. Bleiler (1978), p. 97. A few leaves creased at margins, scattered foxing, mainly to first and last few leaves of each volume, but remarkably clean overall. A very nice copy. Quite scarce. (#139631).
Price: $4,500.00
No statement of printing.