THE MAGICIAN

Victorian fiction. First single volume edition, following the three volumes edition (J. Macrone, 1936) and two vol American edition (Carey, Lea & Blanchard, 1836). Pott 8vo (6.5 x 4 ins); pp 390. rebound without the original wrappers in green half calf over marbled boards with some surface rubbing to calf especially on top right front corner, double gilt rules to spine and gilt title lettering. Original endpapers present. Bookplate of Henry Hickman Barnes. Any edition of this work is decidedly uncommon, with no copies appearing in auction or dealer catalogues since 1981. Leitch Ritchie was a Scottish novelist and journalist, born at Greenoc. He wrote four novels, of which the most successful was 'Wearyfoot Common'. The others were 'Schinderhannes', 'The Robber of the Rhine' and 'The Magician'. In his later years he edited Chambers' Journal. He also wrote short stories, including one of the first British werewolf short stories, The Man-Wolf, and numerous topographical works including 'The Wye and its Associations; a Picturesque Ramble' and 'Windsor Castle and its Environs, including Eton College'.…