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12mo, two volumes in one: pp. [i-iii] iv [v-vi] [7] 8-178 [179-180: blank]; [1-3] 4-119 [120: blank], inserted frontispiece with uncredited woodcut illustration, uncredited woodcut illustration on each title page, all attributed to David Claypoole Johnston, original pictorial paper covered boards with brown linen shelf back, printed paper spine label. First edition, first printing with both title pages dated 1833. The first American anthology of fantastic fiction. A collection of eighteen Gothic and Romantic stories, most of which are weird or supernatural, including "The Magic Dice" by Thomas de Quincey, "Der Freischutz, or the Magic Balls" by Johann August Apel, "The Boarwolf" by Apel, and "Peter Rugg, the Missing Man" by William Austin, the last appearing for the first time in a book. ". an excellent selection for its day, with much material that is not generally available elsewhere." - Bleiler, The Guide to Supernatural Fiction 1427. Barron (ed), Fantasy Literature 1-1 (Apel's "Der Freischütz"). Frank, Through the Pale Door: A Guide To and Through the American Gothic 451. Bleiler (1978), p. 173. Reginald 15858. Wright (I) 2266. Early owner's name and address on recto of frontispiece. Boards scuffed and worn at edges, corners rounded, printed paper over boards rubbed and chipped, some loss to cloth at spine ends, wear and fraying along outer rear joint with a few splits, paper spine label mostly missing, front free endpaper missing, text paper spotted and stained and quite tanned throughout (as usual due to paper quality) but not brittle, an about good copy overall. The first printing is rare. (#170820). Seller Inventory # 170820
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