New York: Robert M. McBride & Company, 1927.
First American Edition, translated by Paul Hookham with an introduction by Gustave Rudler. This edition comprises 110 pages in an 8vo format, bound in black linen with elaborately decorated plum and silver patterned paper-covered boards. The spine features a black-printed gold foil label, flawless and intact.
The book is in excellent condition, with light rubbing to the bottom edge, a neat owner’s name on the front free endpaper, and clean contents. The original dustwrapper, an uncommon survival, is in very good condition with minor wear, including a small chip at the spine heel and some light rubbing and tiny chips at the edges.
Originally published in 1836 as La Morte Amoureuse, this dreamlike tale tells the story of a priest consumed by his obsession with a beautiful vampire, known in some English translations as Clarimonde. The narrative remains a cornerstone of vampire literature, and this edition is particularly rare with the dustwrapper intact.
Theophile Gautier, also celebrated as the librettist for Giselle, has left an indelible mark on both literary and ballet traditions. This work is a must-have for collectors of Gothic and vampire fiction.
