About this Item
A remarkable twenty-volume collection of James Herbert presentation copies, spanning his career from his first novel, The Rats (1974), to his final novel, Ash (2012). Each contains a signed inscription or presentation card from Herbert to the same recipient, "John". Among plausible candidates for the 'John' named in the inscriptions are John Burke (1922?2011), the British horror and crime writer (a 1990 luggage ticket labeled J. Burke, closely resembling the writer's signature was found in one of the volumes); John Herbert, James Herbert's elder brother; and the crime/horror writer John Gilbert, who interviewed Herbert at his home in 1990. The recipient's identity remains unconfirmed.
The books are consistently in excellent, apparently unread condition, with clean, unmarked text blocks apart from the presentation inscriptions. The chronological sequence and repeated personal references create an unusual prosopographical record of a relationship maintained across approximately twenty-five years.
THE RATS (1974) - 3rd impression, 1986. "To John. Hope you'll continue to enjoy my stories. Regards from James Herbert. 9th June '87."
THE FOG (1975) - 3rd impression, 1985. "To John. Keep reading the books! James Herbert."
THE SURVIVOR (1976) - 2nd impression, 1985. "To John. Glad you enjoy the books! James Herbert. Sussex '86."
FLUKE (1977) - 3rd impression, 1987. "To John. Many happy returns! James Herbert. 9th June '87."
THE SPEAR (1978) - 1st edition, 1st impression. "To John. Regards from James Herbert. 1986."
LAIR (1979) - 3rd impression, 1986. "To John. All best wishes. James Herbert. Sussex. 9th June '87."
THE DARK (1980) - 1986 impression. "To John. All best wishes from James Herbert."
THE JONAH (1981) - 1988 reissue/impression. Presentation inscription on an affixed card to John, signed by James Herbert.
SHRINE (1983) - 2nd impression, 1986. "Happy Birthday John! from James Herbert. 9th June '87."
DOMAIN (1984) - 4th impression, 1985. "To John. Happy Christmas. James Herbert. 1986."
MOON (1985) - 1st edition, 1st impression. "To John, Every success for the future. James Herbert."
SEPULCHRE (1987) - 1st edition, 1st impression. "To John. Don't blame me for your nightmares! All good wishes and hope you enjoy this one as much as the others (it's very sinister!). James Herbert. July '87."
CREED (1990) - 1st edition, 1st impression. "To John. Hope this one raises a chuckle or two, as well as a scare. James Herbert. August '90."
PORTENT (1992) - 1st edition, 1st impression. "To John. It's that time of year again! Happy reading! Regards. James Herbert. December '92."
THE GHOSTS OF SLEATH (1994) - 1st edition, 1st impression. Presentation inscription on an affixed paper slip: "To John, Happy Christmas & a great New Year! James Herbert. Dec '94."
'48 (1996) - 1st edition, 1st impression. Paper slip: signed James Herbert and dated November 1996, with seasonal wishes for 1997.
OTHERS (1999) - 1st edition, 1st impression. Paper slip: "To John. A new chapter begins. All best. James Herbert. April '99."
ONCE. (2001) - 1st edition, 1st impression. Paper slip: "To John, Something different again - hope you like it! All best. James Herbert."
THE SECRET OF CRICKLEY HALL (2006) - later impression. Paper slip: "Hope you enjoy 'Crickley Hall'. Regards. James Herbert. 31st Oct '06."
ASH (2012) - 1st edition; impression unstated on publication page. Paper slip: "To John, Have a great 2013! Best wishes. James Herbert."
Particularly significant are the four books presented on 9 June 1987: Shrine explicitly says "Happy Birthday John!", Fluke "Many happy returns!", while The Rats and Lair were inscribed on the same date, Lair additionally recording Sussex. Sepulchre followed in July 1987 with Herbert hoping John would enjoy it "as much as the others". Subsequent Christmas and personal presentations demonstrate the continuity of the association.
Seller Inventory # ABE-1790768069885
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