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First English edition, cloth issue of Stevensonā s classic work, printed simultaneously in wrappers. Octavo, bound in half morocco over marbled boards, patterned endpapers. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the title page, "For my dear friend C. Bronson Robert Louis Stevenson June 1, 1888." The recipient, Crevole Brenson was the editor of The Monterey Californian. Before reuniting with Fanny Van de Grift Osbourne (1840-1914) in San Francisco in 1879 StevensonĀspent a formative period in Monterey, California. His voyage to the United States to see Osbourne had taken an enormous toll on his health, and he was forced to spend a few months convalescing in Monterey. While there, he met Crevole Bronson, the editor of one of the earliest California newspapers, The Monterey Californian.ĀStevensonĀfound a kindred spirit in Bronson, who also possessed passionate literary aspirations. They often spent time together at Simoneau's, a French restaurant beloved byĀStevensonĀand frequented by the bohemian intellectuals who found themselves in Monterey. Most importantly, Bronson gaveĀStevensonĀhis first writing job, hiring the yet unpublished author as a reporter for the paper at two dollars a week.ĀStevensonĀspent only four months at the job but was undoubtedly shaped by the experience. He would go on to write many pieces about his time in California and even set his novel Treasure Island in Point Lobos.ĀStevenson found fame with Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde almost a decade after leaving Monterey and likely sent the present lot to Bronson in gratitude for his recognition and friendship at a time when the author was still relatively unknown. With a Typed Letter Signed by StevensonĀbibliographer Gertrude Hills to a Captain Pleadwell dated February 28th, 1933, discussingĀStevenson's handwriting and regretting that she could not see the present lot, signed by her in green ink on her stationery; 1 page, laid in at front. In very good condition lacking half-title and advertisements, scattered minor stains, cut-out quotation pasted to blank opposite title; rebacked with original spine label preserved. Inscribed copies of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde very rarely appear at auction, with only record since 1994. "If [Bram Stoker's] Dracula leaves one with the sensation of having been struck down by a massive, 400-page wall of horror, then Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is like the sudden, mortal jab of an ice pick" (Stephen King). Leaping to life out of a "fine bogey dream" from which the author's wife abruptly awakened him, Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde proved "immediately and lastingly Stevenson's most famous story" (Baugh et al., 1499). "Published as a 'shilling shocker,' a form at that time in fashion, it became instantly popular; was quoted from a thousand pulpits; was translated into German, French and Danish; and the names of its two chief characters have passed into the common stock of proverbial allusion" (DNB). "It is a Faustian moral fable which takes the form of a tale of mystery and horrorā ¦ [It] is the prototype of all stories of multiple personality, transformation and possessionā ¦ The psychological power of the writing, including Jekyll's agonies, is patent" (Clute & Nicholls, 1165). "When we thrill to the shock and horror of the story, I think it is because we all, at least to some degree, have been torn by [Jekyll's] internal conflict. When we recoil in terror from the selfish savagery of Mr. Hyde, I think it is because we fear our own secret selves" (Jack Williamson). It is the basis for many adaptations to the screen, most notably in 1931 starring Fredric March and in 1941 featuring Spencer Tracy, Ingrid Bergman, and Lana Turner.
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