COLLINS, William Wilkie.. After Dark.. Smith, Elder & Co. 1856, 1856.

Price: US$1693.25 + shipping

Description: FIRST EDITION, 2 vols. 2 vols bound as one, retaining both half titles and titles. Contemp. half red morocco, gilt, marbled boards; sl. rubbing to edges. Early ownership signature of Vere Galway on initial blank. An attractive copy. Parrish & Miller, p56. Collins's first collection of short stories: The Traveller's story of a Very Strange Bed, the Lawyer's story of a Stolen Letter, The French governess's story of Sister Rose, The Angler's story of the Lady of Glenwith Grange, The Nun's story of Gabriel's Marriage and the Professor's story of the Yellow Mask. The stories are set within the framework of Leaves from Leah's Diary, 'a single thread of interest, which, so far as I know, has at least the merit of not having been used before.'. Collins, in his preface, asks for 'sympathy for their joys and sorrows of a poor travelling portrait-painter'. The earliest owner of this copy was Vere Monckton-Arundell, Viscountess Galway, nee Gosling, 1859-1921, 'poet and woman of letters'.

Seller: Jarndyce, The 19th Century Booksellers, London, United Kingdom