THE PURCELL PAPERS (First edition - published in three volumes - in the original cloth bindings)

Sheridan le Fanu (With a Memoir by Alfred Perceval Graves)

Published by Richard Bentley and Son, London, 1880

About this Item

A late-Victorian first edition - published in three volumes - unusually, in the original publisher's cloth (most copies that have survived are to be found rebound in leather). Please note that there is some splitting to the edges of the spines of all three volumes. ***Each of the three volumes in the original blue cloth-covered boards, with bevelled edges, and with gilt titles to the spine and front board. The boards show some inevitable rubbing at the extremities, commensurate with books that are now 145 years old, and as mentioned there is some splitting to the edges of the spines. However, all spines are still attached (but would benefit from some restoration by a professional bookbinder). The gilt titles on the spines have faded somewhat, and the spines are browned, but the gilt on the front boards is still bright. All edges of the page block are clean with no foxing - just slightly darkening at the top edges. No serious bumps - just rubbing and slight creasing to the corner tips. No reading lean to the bindings. Internally the books are in very good condition, with no ownership details or inscriptions (which is unusual for Victorian books). Pale yellow endpapers, all clean. No splitting to the endpapers. No internal splitting to the bindings. Pages clean with only very light and sporadic internal foxing. No significant creases or tears. ***3 vols, 236, 273 and 289 pages respectively. 192mm x 135mm.

***'Joseph Thomas Sheridan Le Fanu (1814 - 7 Feb 1873), popularly known as J. S. Le Fanu, was an Irish writer. He was one of the pioneers of early Gothic, mystery and horror literary works, and is considered by critics to be among the greatest ghost story writers of the Victorian era, as his works were central to the development of the genre. In 1838, he began writing stories for the Dublin University Magazine to make money, which included his first ghost story, "The Ghost and the Bone-Setter" (1838). It was during this period that Le Fanu decided to focus on the ghost story genre, despite continuing to also write short stories and commentaries across other genres, and by 1840 he had become the owner of several local newspapers. He became a key figure in the dark romanticism movement during the 19th century, and had a major influence on later vampire fictions such as Bram Stoker's "Dracula" (1897). M. R. James described him as "absolutely in the first rank as a writer of ghost stories". His earliest twelve short stories, written between 1838 and 1840, purport to be the literary remains of an 18th-century Catholic priest called Father Purcell. They were published in the Dublin University Magazine and were later collected as "The Purcell Papers" (1880). They are mostly set in Ireland and include some classic stories of Gothic horror, with gloomy castles, supernatural visitations from beyond the grave, madness, and suicide. Also apparent are nostalgia and sadness for the dispossessed Catholic aristocracy of Ireland, whose ruined castles stand as a mute witness to this history. (Wiki)

***A late-Victorian true first edition set of this classic work, in the original Victorian cloth-covered bindings. Copies in the original cloth a far less common than copies that have been rebound in leather bindings. A very rare and collectable set of the final Le Fanu triple decker, which was published posthumously - containing a collection of short stories, ostensibly from the papers of a Parish Priest in Ireland, many supernatural, including the excellent tale of ghoulish horror: "Strange Event in the Life of Schalken the Painter", as it was originally published in the Dublin University Magazine in 1839.

***For all our books, postage is charged at cost, allowing for packaging: any shipping rates indicated on ABE are an average only: we will reduce the P & P charge where appropriate - please contact us for postal rates for heavier books and sets etc.

Seller Inventory # 9200

Bibliographic Details

• Title: THE PURCELL PAPERS (First edition - published in three volumes - in the original cloth bindings)
• Publisher: Richard Bentley and Son, London
• Publication Date: 1880
• Language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: First Edition
• Printing: First Printing
• Condition: Good
• Dust Jacket Condition: No Jacket, as Issued
• Seller catalogs:
  • Literature
  • First Editions
  • Antiquarian