The Exploits of Juve, Being the Second of the Series of the "Fantômas" Detective Tales

Souvestre, Pierre and Marcel Allain

Published by Brentano's, New York, 1917

About this Item

Very Good. New York: Brentano's, 1917. First American Edition. 12mo, 299 pp. Maroon cloth, lettered in gilt. Part of the Fantômas Detective Novels series, French pulp fiction in which, in early 20th century France, a series of audacious crimes are committed by an unknown criminal called Fantomas, who seems to be able to change shape and place supernaturally, speaks in cliches, and is the object of more than a little erotic interest to women - in particular Lady Beltham, who is magnetically attracted to him, yet aghast at his crimes, throughout the series. Inspector Juve (who may be Fantomas' brother) searches for him obsessively. Souvestre & Allain's Fantomas series included no less than 32 collaborative, all originally written in French between 1911 and 1913, then a subsequent eleven volumes written by Allain alone after Souvestre's death in 1914. Dominated by this essence of an archetypal villain rather in opposition to the archteypal super-detective Sherlock Holmes, the mystique of the series was immensely popular among contemporary French surrealists. The Exploits of Juve is the title for the Brentano's first American and first English-language edition of the present volume; the original French title was Juve contre Fantômas [Juve vs. Fantomas]. Scarce. Spine just a bit lighter than boards and has a very slight lean; two small discoloration spots, one faint black mark at rear cover. Very Good, strongly. See scans. L48.

Seller Inventory # 000422

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Exploits of Juve, Being the Second of the Series of the "Fantômas" Detective Tales
• Publisher: Brentano's, New York
• Publication Date: 1917
• Language: English
• Binding: Cloth
• Edition: First American Edition
• Condition: Very Good
• Seller catalogs:
  • Detective / Mystery / Murder