Marsh, Richard (pseudonym of Richard Bernard Heldmann). A Metamorphosis. London: Methuen & Co., 1903. First edition. Octavo, pp. [i-vi] vii-viii [1] 2-394 [395: printer's imprint] [396: blank] + 38-page publisher's catalogue dated "July 1903" inserted at rear. Original red cloth, front and spine panels stamped in gold, bottom edge untrimmed. Spine just a trifle faded, still basically a fine copy. Scarce in nice condition. #1987. $275. An adventure novel with criminous and marginal psychic elements. The millionaire hero, Otway, becomes disillusioned with life after learning of his fianc�e's infidelity and runs off to London where he meets a murderer, Gunston, about to kill himself in a frenzy of guilt. Otway convinces the man to switch identities (or apparent identities -- clothing, names, etc.) with him first. The murderer goes ahead with his suicide. But Otway-as-Gunston now finds himself hunted as a murderer, and the rest of the novel narrates chases and escapes that take the story to a volcanic island and the circus, among other locations. Wilson, Shadows in the Attic, p. 354. Seller Inventory # 1987

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Bibliographic Details

Title: A Metamorphosis

Publisher: Methuen

Publication Date: 1903

Binding: Hardcover

Condition: Fine

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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