Curse Intellect by Constable, Used (5 results)

Hard Cover. Condition: Good+. No Jacket. Roberts Brothers, 1895, 8vo., 177 pages. Book bound in a yellow cloth, no dust jacket, spine darkened, some browning to cloth, else good+ condition. Size: 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall.

First Edition. THE CURSE OF INTELLECT, Roberts Brothers, 1895, first edition (American issue), some soiling to the yellow cloth binding, foxing to the end-papers and paste-downs, else a tight vg copy. A simian romance whereby a monkey is acclimated into human society with unfortunate results.

Octavo, pp. [1-4] [1-3] 4-177 [178: printer's imprint] [179-180: ads], original yellow cloth, front and spine panels stamped in black, t.e.g., other edges untrimmed. First edition. "Biological science fantasy of a large monkey which is taught to think and to participate in human society; part two (of three) comprises the beasts written autobiography." - Locke, A Spectrum of Fantasy, p. 13. "Written alternately by human narrator and intelligent monkey with estranged point of view. Intrigues and murders plus long essay on loss of happiness because of reason. Monkey commits suicide. Influenced THE ISLAND OF DOCTOR MOREAU." - Suvin, Victorian Science Fiction in the UK, p. 60. Bleiler (1978), p. 48. Reginald 03714. Early private owner's tiny monogram blind stamp on title leaf and last leaf of text and date "7.5.95" neatly inked on recto of title leaf. Yellow cloth a trifle soiled, a near fine, attractive copy. Publisher's slip regarding trade terms for the book laid in. (#74897).

cat40a (illustrator). Bosron: Roberts Brothers/Edinburgh & London: Blackwood, 1895. First American edition, using the sheets of the UK edition. Roberts Brothers imprint at base of spine. Mustard cloth ruled and lettered in black. Small ownership and signature in the front, chipped at the top of the spine and, less so, at the base; light wear to edges and a bit of dust soiling, a clean very good copy generally. Locke: A Spectrum of Fantasy: page 13: "Biological science fantasy of a large monkey which is taught to think and to participate in human society; part two (of three) comprises the beasts written autobiography." Thought to have influenced THE ISLAND OF DOCTOR MOREAU by Wells.

FIRST EDITION, the odd light handling mark, pp. [iv], 177, foolscap 8vo, original bevel-edged yellow cloth, lettered in black to backstrip and upper board, backstrip darkened with lean to spine, cloth a little handled overall, wear to edges, t.e.g, other edges untrimmed and a little toned, rear endpapers a little spotted, flyleaf browned with pencilled ownership inscription, stanmp of Indian bookseller at head of facing pastedown, good. Inscribed by the author on the half-title: 'E.V.L. [perhaps E.V. Lucas?], from the Author, 15th March 1898'. Uncommon inscribed, the narrative purports to be written by 'Machiavelli Colin Clout' (a pseudonym employed elsewhere by the author) with a middle section provided by 'Power's Beast' - i.e., the ape taught by Clout's wealthy friend Reuben Power to imitate human manners and speech. Power's experiment to integrate his beast into society is successful, but with tragic consequences - it first kills him, and then itself.