BENSON, E. F. (1867-1940). The Room in the Tower and Other Stories. London: Mills & Boon, Limited, [1912].

BENSON, E. F. (1867-1940). The Room in the Tower and Other Stories. London: Mills & Boon, Limited, [1912]. 8vo. [viii], [1]-338, [38, ads] pp. Publisher's full burgundy cloth, front boards and spine stamped in gilt. FIRST EDITION, FIRST PRINTING OF BENSON'S FIRST COLLECTION OF GHOST STORIES; LAID-IN IS AN AUTOGRAPH NOTE SIGNED BY BENSON. Note is dated "Oct 5 99 [?]" on Benson's small note stationery. Addressed "Dear Mr. Coller," Signed "E Benson". Approximately 4 1/2 x 3 1/2". Mounted onto a pink page from a book, possibly an endleaf (approximately 6 1/2 x 5"). Soiled, with faint inkstamp on stationery, mount is chipped at left margin, soiled. Very good. "Here's a tale. There's another coming in a day or two. [Illegible text crossed out and additional text].

"By far the best of his four books of ghost stories, this contains seventeen tales, each almost too well-rounded to fault" (The Penguin Encyclopedia of Horror and the Supernatural, p. 30).

Condition

Spine a bit sunned, some rubbing, soiling to binding, hinges starting, endleaves and text toned, foxed, several gutters overopened or starting, inkstamp of "Robert Bradshaw" on ffep. Good.