Malcolm, David. A Fiend Incarnate. New York: J. Selwyn Tait & Sons, [1895]. First edition. Small octavo, pp. [1-4] [1-2] 3-213 [214: publisher ad]. Original light gray pictorial cloth, front and spine panels stamped in red, top edge gilt. A few tiny faint spots on front cover, else a nearly fine copy of a scarce book. #1317. $85. Short sensation novel blending crime, detection and a dash of the paranormal. The story, narrated in the first person by a bank teller, starts in London in 1866 just prior to a major bank panic. The details and jargon of the banking world manage to take on an exotic atmosphere, especially in juxtaposition with villains from the Carbonari (an Italian crime organization emphasizing vendetta, forgery, drugs and stilettos); a missing bank manager; inept police; somnambulism; a premonitory dream; a huge pet anaconda; and a bank teller forced by circumstance to act as amateur detective. This was apparently one of just two novels published by the author. His pacing is wobbly, with copious details convoluting any possibility of narrative momentum (though he writes rather good action scenes). Wright III 3590. Hubin IV. Seller Inventory # 1317

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Bibliographic Details

Title: A Fiend Incarnate

Publisher: J. Selwyn Tait

Publication Date: 1895

Binding: Hardcover

Condition: Fine

Dust Jacket Condition: No Jacket

Edition: 1st 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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