STRANGE CASE OF DR JEKYLL AND MR HYDE

Stevenson Robert Louis

Published by London Longmans, Green, and Co. 1886

First edition, first issue. 8vo, in the original printed wrappers with the date on the bottom of the upper cover changed manually in the publisher's hand. Now housed in a fine morocco backed foldover case, the spine panel beautifully decorated in gilt, rounded and with raised bands. [viii],141, ads. A very good copy. Some evidence of old damp at the edges of the wrappers and to some of the final leaves, expert, unobtrusive and highly sympathetic refurbishment to spine panel, internally quite clean and overall, well preserved. THE TRUE FIRST EDITION, FIRST ISSUE. THIS COPY IN THE ORIGINAL PRINTED WRAPPERS WITH DATE CHANGE IN PEN AND EXECUTED BY HAND. "Jekyll and Hyde" is one of Stevenson's most collectible titles and copies in the original wrappers are extremely difficult to obtain. Robert Louis Stevenson was born in Edinburgh and began studying law at Edinburgh University. He was admitted advocate in 1875, but decided to become a writer. Stevenson was fascinated by Edinburgh street life and developed a Bohemian lifestyle. He soon began travelling due to ill health, in search of a place where he could feel better. After travelling extensively, by 1884, he had also published a good deal. His first two books--Treausre Island and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde brought him fame. "The theme of dualism and the Doppelgänger recurs in his work, as does an admiration for morally ambiguous heroes or anti-heroes." [Oxf Compan to Lit] These themes are particularly true for this well-known story. Dr. Jekyll, a physician cognizant of the duality of good and evil in his personality and intrigued with the idea of developing these sides separately, into different people, discovers a drug that will help him do so. His alter-ego is called Mr. Hyde and is pure evil, gradually taking over the other side of his personality. Dr. Jekyll eventually loses control of the two sides and is forced to deal with the consequences. Seller Inventory # 19855

Bibliographic Details

Title: STRANGE CASE OF DR JEKYLL AND MR HYDE
Publisher: London Longmans, Green, and Co. 1886
Binding: Soft cover
Edition: 1st Edition