£2,772
Rare Books, Manuscripts, Maps & Photographs ft. the Library of the Late William St Clair Pt II | 712
Auction: 28 September 2022 at 11:00 BST
London: Hurst, Robinson, & Co., 1825. First edition, 8vo, lacks half-title, early ownership inscription of William Charles Forrest at head of title, contemporary half calf, rebacked, corners worn, a few spots and occasional small stain
Note:
Rare. First fictional work by a highly regarded friend of the Shelleys. Group of five 'tales of diablerie' including The Prediction, The Yellow Dwarf and The Lord of the Maelstrom. For many years considered the work of George Borrow. See Wolff 601 disputing the attribution to Dods: 'One thing is not disputed: the rarity of the book. Alden [in Book Collector 1959] refers to "four copies of the Tales now known." This is, at least a fifth', noted Wolff in 1981 of his own copy.
Mary Diana Dodds, Mary Shelley's friend, who changed her sex, adopting the pseudonyms of David Lyndsay and Walter Sholto Douglas.
Provenance:
From the library of the late William St Clair, FBA, FRSL.