Poison Belt, The

Published by London: Hodder and Stoughton, [1913]

  • First Edition
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Seller: David Brass Rare Books, Inc., Calabasas, CA, U.S.A.David Brass Rare Books, Inc.

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Condition: Used

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"Humanity is Shocked into Placing a Higher Value on Life" DOYLE, Arthur Conan. The Poison Belt. Being an account of another adventure of Prof. George E. Challenger, Lord John Roxton, Prof. Summerlee, and Mr. E.D. Malone, the discoverers of "The Lost World". With 16 Illustrations by Harry Rountree. London: Hodder and Stoughton, [1913]. First English edition. Octavo (7 3/8 x 4 7/8 inches; 188 x 124 mm.). [viii], [1-2]-199, [1, blank] pp. Frontispiece and fifteen plates tipped-in. Publisher's light blue cloth front cover blocked and titled in black, spine blocked in black and lettered in gilt, white endpapers, all edges untrimmed. Lower joint with small 1 1/2 inch split, spine slightly faded, corners and spine extremities a little rubbed. Still a much better than usually seen copy. 10,000 copies were published on 13th August 1913 priced 3/6d. The Poison Belt is a science fiction novel by British writer Arthur Conan Doyle, the second book about Professor Challenger. Written in 1913, much of it takes place in a single room in Challenger's house in Sussex. This would be the last story written about Challenger until the 1920s, by which time Doyle's spiritualist beliefs had begun to influence his writing. Challenger sends telegrams asking his three companions from The Lost World- Edward Malone, Lord John Roxton, and Professor Summerlee- to join him at his home outside London, and instructs each of them to 'bring oxygen'. During their journey there, they see people's behaviour become excitable and erratic. On arrival they are ushered into a sealed room, along with Challenger and his wife. In the course of his researches into various phenomena, Challenger has predicted that the Earth is moving into a belt of poisonous ether which, based on its effect on the people of Sumatra earlier in the day, he expects to stifle humanity. Challenger seals them in the room with cylinders of oxygen, which he (correctly) believes will counter the effect of the ether. The five wait out the Earth's passage through the poison belt as they watch the world outside, human and animal, die and machines run amok. (According to Victorian values-or to Doyle's understanding of them-Challenger's servants are left outside the sealed room, and they continue to perform their duties until the ether overtakes them.) Finally, the last of the oxygen cylinders is emptied, and they open a window, ready to face death. To their surprise, they do not die, and conclude the Earth has now passed through the poison belt. They journey through the dead countryside in Challenger's car, finally arriving in London. They encounter only one survivor, an elderly, bed-ridden woman prescribed oxygen for her health. After returning to Challenger's house, they discover that the effect of the ether is temporary, and the world reawakens with no knowledge that they have lost any time at all. Eventually Challenger and his companions manage to convince the world what happened- a task made easier by the tremendous amount of death and destruction caused by runaway machines and fires that took place while the world was asleep-and humanity is shocked into placing a higher value on life. (Wikipedia). Green & Gibson A38a.…

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Bibliographic details

Title
Poison Belt, The
Author
DOYLE, Arthur Conan; ROUNTREE, Harry, illustrator
Publisher
London: Hodder and Stoughton, [1913]
Edition
First Edition.
Seller catalogs
English Literature, Illustrated Books, Mystery and Detective Fiction

David Brass Rare Books, Inc.

Calabasas, CA, U.S.A.

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WHAT IS DAVID BRASS RARE BOOKS? David Brass Rare Books, Inc. specializes in buying and selling only the finest examples of English, American and European Literature, Children's Books, Color-Plate Books, Illustrated Books, Early Printed Books, Private Press Books, Fine Bindings, Original Artwork, Manuscripts, High Spot Modern First Editions, Rare Books and High Spots. HOW WE WORK We fully catalogue and photograph all of our items. We realize that every book has its own unique characteristics, so our catalogue descriptions give you a clear and precise explanation of condition, style, history, etc. Our photographs are of the highest digital quality, and will give you the clearest idea of what out items actually look like. We believe that this detailed information will provide a greater sense of confidence to the discerning collector who is considering a purchase. CONSIGNMENTS Consignments are welcome. If you want to use our name and contacts to find a home for your rare pieces, ask us about our terms. We offer full security and insurance while we house your item.…

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David Brass Rare Books, Inc.

P.O. Box 9029
Calabasas, CA U.S.A. 91372