SCARABAEUS: THE STORY OF AN AFRICAN BEETLE. London, Paris, and Melbourne: Cassell & Company, Limited, 1892. Octavo, pp. [1-5] 6-283 [284: blank] [285-286: canceled] + [16]-page publisher's catalogue dated "12.92" inserted at rear, errata slip following title leaf, original pictorial terra cotta cloth, front panel stamped in green, black, silver and gold, spine panel stamped in gold. First edition, British issue. 1892 Lovell, Coryell & Company sheets with last leaf canceled. A murder story involving photographing images on the retina of the eye is combined with a hunt for treasure in Africa where the ruins of an ancient kingdom are discovered. "Weird mystery novel concerning the evil influence of an ancient talisman." - Locke, A Spectrum of Fantasy, p. 133. Clareson, Science Fiction in America, 1870s-1930s 492. Bleiler (1948), p. 175. Reginald 06883. Wright (III) 3211. Cloth a bit rubbed at edges, several spots to front cover, free endpapers darkened, a very good copy overall. (#170419).
Price: $150.00
No statement of printing.