Baker, Frank. Before I Go Hence: Fantasia on a Novel. London: Andrew Dakers Limited, n.d. [1946]. First edition. 16mo, pp. [1-6] [1] 2-233 [234: printer's imprint]. Original pale blue cloth, spine stamped in gold. A fine copy in very good dust jacket with scattered dust soiling to rear panel. A scarce book in this edition, even without the jacket. #3150. $250. The author uses such versatile fantastic motifs as the haunted house and time distortion to explore the fragility of personal identity and inter-generational conflict in rural England. As in much of Baker's work the individual is prone to psychic invasions of one kind or another. Also typical is the author's portrayal of homo-erotic orientation in a faintly ambiguous if not sinister light. "The third and most intense of Baker's earnest moralistic fantasies, following The Birds (1936) and Mr. Allenby Loses His Way (1945). It draws heavily upon Dunne's time theories in recounting the story of an author who builds a psychic link with a former inhabitant of his home -- a quest for enlightenment which estranges him from his wife." -- Brian Stableford in Barron (ed), Fantasy Literature 3-12. Bleiler, The Guide to Supernatural Fiction, #80. Clute and Grant (eds), The Encyclopedia of Fantasy, p. 81. Reginald 00739. Seller Inventory # 3150

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Bibliographic Details

Title: Before I Go Hence: Fantasia on a Novel

Publisher: Andrew Dakers, London

Publication Date: 1946

Binding: Hardback

Condition: Fine

Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good

Edition: First 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
NY, U.S.A.

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Robert Eldridge
P. O. Box 293
Elizabethtown NY 12932
USA.
Tel: 518-873-9966.
Email: rfx51@charter.net.

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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 (within USA) Media Mail: $5. Domestic Priority: $10. International First Class (must be under 4 lbs.): $25. International Global Priority (...

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