Flaubert, Gustave. Salambo. [Translated into English by M. French Sheldon.] London: Saxon & Co., 1886. First edition of this translation into English, a different version having appeared in the same year from Vizetelly. Octavo, pp. [i-ix] x-xxiii [xxiv] [1] 2-421 [422: colophon] [423: publisher's ad] [424: blank] [note: fly leaf inserted at front and rear]. Original navy blue cloth with beveled edges, front and spine panels stamped in gold, top edge of text block rough-trimmed, floral endpapers. Early ownership signature on rear paste-down; in same hand is a note at the top of p. [1] admonishing subsequent readers to first read the introduction. An autograph postscript (in the same hand) that occupied the bottom half of p. 421 is no longer available as a previous owner neatly excised the bottom half of that leaf. Corner tips worn, rear inner hinge strengthened, a good copy overall. #3231. $125. "An extravagant romance of antiquity endeavoring, as the author claimed, to 'perpetuate a mirage by applying to antiquity the methods of the modern world.' The eponymous heroine is a priestess of Tanit in Carthage who must sacrifice herself in order to save the sacred veil of Tanit when it is stolen by Matho, whose mercenaries lay siege to the city. Though there is nothing formally supernatural in the story, it is essentially an account of the working out of a curse." -- Brian Stableford in Barron (ed.), Fantasy Literature 2-55. Seller Inventory # 3231

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Bibliographic Details

Title: Salambo

Publisher: Saxon

Publication Date: 1886

Binding: Hardcover

Condition: Good

Dust Jacket Condition: No Jacket

Edition: 1st Edition

Store Description

When I began my bookselling business in 1996 I called it "Eldritch Books" because that adjective at least partly covered the type of material I offered (and because its similarity to my own surname seemed so -- eldritch). "Ghost stories" would be another handy, if somewhat reductive, term. Most of it is fiction from the 19th and early 20th century with a strong emphasis on the fantastic. Since the most familiar and relevant genre terms in use today -- "science fiction," "fantasy," "supernatural," "horror" -- were not so much in use when these books were first published, pegging them that way can be anachronistic. But that should give you the general idea. I don't have much in the way of American pulp (either in magazine or specialty press book form) but otherwise my interests range widely from high-brow to middle-brow to low-brow to amateur/eccentric. You're more likely to find rare and obscure works here than high spots. (Or at least they're obscure now, whatever their status was when first published.) In 2001 I went to work for L. W. Currey as cataloguer and general assistant. Since 2014 I've been back working on my own. I have exhibited at convention fairs (such as WFC and Readercon) in the past. I began collecting and studying antiquarian fantasy around 1980. Some of my essays have appeared in genre publications such as NYRSF, Wormwood and F&SF. I tend to carefully research my inventory and write extensive notes. (If another dealer wishes to make use of any of these notes, I'd appreciate the courtesy of putting such excerpts in quotes and giving proper attribution to me. That's what I do when I quote from any of my reference works.) I will be gradually listing my inventory on ABE over the coming years. I hope you find something of interest.

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Robert Eldridge, Bookseller
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I ship only by U.S. Postal Service. All shipments are packed carefully and mailed with insurance and (for domestic shipments) tracking information. Except where specified for extra large items, rates are: Domestic Media Mail: $5. Domestic Priority: $10. International First Class (must be under 4 lbs.): $25. International Global Priority (required by USPS regulations for anything over 4 lbs.) -- ask for quo...

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