GHOSTLY PHENOMENA. London: T. Werner Laurie, n.d. [1910]. Octavo, publisher's black cloth, front and spine panels stamped in white, publisher's monogram stamped in white on rear panel. First edition. "Unlike other writers in the genre who assembled the occasional volume of 'true' ghost stories, the majority of O'Donnell's prolific output comprised nonfiction works recording the results of his wide-ranging occult investigations. Describing himself as a professional ghost hunter, O'Donnell traveled widely in Britain, Europe and America to study all forms of supernatural manifestation and regularly lectured and broadcast on the subject. Many have questioned O'Donnell's credulity, and view him as either naive or prone to the over-exaggeration of events. The great ghost story author, M. R. James, once expressed the hope that O'Donnell's writings were entirely fictitious fearing that, if true, life would be 'a risky business.' Most readers find O'Donnell's 'true' ghostly works more enjoyable than his rather crude and unconvincing attempts at genre fiction." - Wilson, Shadows in the Attic, pp. 388; 392. Wilson, p. 390. Dated signature of an early ghost story collector on the front free endpaper. Slight spine lean, mild wear to cloth at spine ends and corner tips, a very good copy. (#176714).
Price: $150.00
No statement of printing.