THE MODERN STORY-TELLER: OR THE BEST STORIES OF THE BEST AUTHORS, NOW FIRST COLLECTED. New York: G. P. Putnam & Co., 1856. 12mo, pp. 324, original decorated gray green cloth stamped in gold and blind. First edition. "Putnam's Story Library" at head of title. An anthology of twenty-two tales by unspecified authors: "the best selections from the standard story literature of the English language," according to the editor's preface. Most of the material appears to be British. "The Sultan's Bear" (from CHAMBERS'S EDINBURGH JOURNAL) is an amusing oriental satire. "The Ghost-Raiser" (from HARPER'S) is a clever tale of a confidence scam. "The Pierced Skull" is a murder mystery; "Our Major's Story" is a tale of somnambulism. Other material is sentimental, romantic, etc. This is one (apparently the first) of several books (at least five) in "Putnam's Story Library" series. Wright (II) 1727. Mild, shallow chip from cloth at upper end, some tanning and foxing to text block, a very good copy. Superior condition for this book. A scarce book. (#157441).
Price: $100.00
No statement of printing on copyright page.