The Castle of Otranto; A Gothic Story by Walpole, Horace (Author); Lewis, W. S. (Introduction, Editor) - 1975

New York: The Limited Editions Club, 1975. Limited Edition. Hardcover. fine/near fine. Lewis, W. S.. No. 351 of 2000, quarto size, 142 pp., signed by the editor W. S. Lewis. "The Castle of Otranto" was originally written in 1764 as an alleged translation of a mediaeval Italian manuscript; it was the following year when, in the second edition, it was explained that Horace Walpole (1717-1797) was the true author. The novel is regarded as the first gothic novel ever since the second edition was published, when Walpole appended the subtitle "A Gothic Story", spawning a literary genre which now includes authors such as Mary Shelley and Ann Radcliffe, as well as current films, art, music, and even a goth subculture. ___DESCRIPTION: Bound by Tapley-Rutter Company in quarter dark-blue levant leather, stamped in gold, sides of Tumba Ingres yellow paper printed with an all-over pattern in green and blue, illustrated with eighteenth-century watercolours and sepia wash drawings, printed by Meriden Gravure Company; set in monotype Van Dyck on Abbey Mills cream-tone antique laid paper, designed by Ruari McLean, printed at the Westerham Press; octavo size (7.75" by 11"), pagination: [xxvii] 1-99 [1 colophon], one of 2000 copies, this number 351, signed by editor W. S. Lewis; LEC Monthly Newsletter laid in. With the original glassine dust jacket; housed in a navy paper-covered slipcase, with yellow paper spine label with navy lettering. ___CONDITION: Volume is in fine condition with bright and crisp boards, leather spine is fine and clean, binding is tight and square, and entirely free of prior owner markings. The glassine wrapper is near fine, clean overall, with very minor wear to corners and slight sunning to the spine. The slipcase is fine, strong and sturdy, clean, and free of any wear or sunning. ___CITATION: LEC no. 490. ___POSTAGE: International customers, please note that additional postage may apply as the standard does not always cover costs; please inquire for details. ___Swan's Fine Books is pleased to be a member of the ABAA, ILAB, and IOBA and we stand behind every book we sell. Please contact us with any questions you may have, we are here to help.