The Works of Theophile Gautier, Complete in 24 Volumes, Limited Edition by Gautier, Theophile - 1900

New York: George D. Sproul, 1900. A grandfather of today's supernatural genre, Theophile Gautier's unique world of vampires, ghosts, and animated mummies influenced both later novelists and movie-makers. This rare set was published for subscribers only by George D. Sproul, between 1900 and 1903. (I would guess that a new volume was shipped out once every two months over a four-year-period, which is probably why complete sets, such as this one, are rare.) The set was limited for sale in America to only 1000 numbered and registered sets, of which this is Number 703. The books have blue-gray cloth covers, with paper spine labels, and top-edge gilt. The exteriors are in Very Good condition, with some light edge rubbing. (Click on photo.) The spine cloth has uniformly darkened on all volumes. The original paper labels had used acidic paper, and, consequently, had browned to a point that the titles were mainly unreadable. I have replaced these with new facsimile labels on appropriate parchment paper, based on the originals. (Additionally, I include an extra set of labels, so that your descendents may again replace them, if needed, in another hundred years' time.) The interiors are also in Very Good condition, with only light toning. The books are all tightly bound, but I found four with front or rear paper splits over the hinges. One volume has several tears and small chips on the rear free endpaper. Each book has the decorative bookplate of the original owner on the front endpaper. Each volume has a frontis engraving with tissue guard, plus some interior engravings. I noticed that one tissue guard is missing. The title pages are all tri-color (green, red, and black). The set was translated and edited (with numerous introductions) by Professor F.C. DeSumichrast of Harvard. The contents are as follows: Volumes I and II: Mademoiselle De Maupin (also includes biography of Theophile Gautier and a Preface to the novel); Volume III: The Grotesques; Volume IV: Travels in Spain; Volume V: The Romance of a Mummy; Egypt; Volume VI: Portraits of the Day; Volume VII: Travels in Italy; Volume VIII: Fortunio, One of Cleopatra's Nights; King Candaules; Volume IX: The Louvre; Volume X: Constantinople; Volume XI: Spirite, The Vampire, Arria Marcella; Volume XII: The Quartette, The Mummy's Foot; Volume XIII: Travels in Russia (Part 1); XIV: Travels in Russia (Part 2); Belgium and Holland; A Day in London; Volume XV: Avatar; Jettatura; The Water Pavilion; Volume XVI: A History of Romanticism; The Progress of French Poetry Since 1830; Volumes XVII, XVIII and XIX: Captain Fracasse; My Private Menagerie; Volume XX: Paris Besieged; Volume XXI: Militona; The Nightingales; The Marchioness's Lap-Dog; Omphale; Volume XXII: Jack and Jill; The Thousand and Second Night; Elias Wildmanstadius; Daniel Jobard; The Bowl of Punch; Volume XXIII: Art and Criticism; The Magic Hat; Volume XXIV: Enales and Cameos, and Other Poems. Aside from Gautier's travelogues, essays, and major novels, he is of particular interest today to collectors of occult literature. Of particular interest is Volume XII, containing "The Vampire," which has also been published in the U.S. as "The Beautiful Vampire" and "Clarimonde." It was first published in France in 1836 under the title "La Morte Amoureuse," over half a century before Stoker's "Dracula." Also of note is "Spirite," which has also been published in the U.S. as "Stronger than Death." A romance between a ghost and a mortal, "Spirite" is a precursor of such 20th Century favorites as "Portrait of Jennie" or the movie, "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir." Also of interest in Volume XII is "The Mummy's Foot," the story of a young man who purchases the object once belonging to an ancient Egyptian princess, Hermonthis. He is amazed when the foot becomes animated, and even more amazed when the footless princess shows up to reclaim it. Volume V contains one of Gautier's favorites, "The Romance of a Mummy," and Volume XV features "Avatar," a story dealing with the transfer of souls from one man to another. Due to the 50-pound weight range of this set, domestic Media Mail shipping will cost the buyer, $25.00, which will include insurance. International buyers should email me in advance for shipping charges. . Limited. Hard Cover. Very Good/No Jacket. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall.