Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.

8vo. (8), 141, (3) pp. With one page of advertisements at rear as issued. Original fawn-coloured wrappers lettered in red and blue. Housed in a custom red cloth clamshell case. A literary touchstone of Faustian horror for the industrial age: presentation copy of the first English edition, inscribed on both the cover and the title-page, to "William Slafford, with the Author's Compliments". - "The date upon the front cover was originally 1885, but the last figure was altered by the pen into 6. It had been intended to publish the book in December 1886, 'but when it was ready the bookstalls were already full of Christmas numbers, etc., and the trade would not look at it' (Mr. Charles Longman in Balfour's Life, ii. 14). The publication was therefore postponed till January 1886. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York, issued an edition dated 1886" (Prideaux). - Spine and corners creased, lower spine rubbed, light soiling and a faint blindstamp to rear wrapper, binding a touch delicate. In all a fine copy. - Prideaux 17.