The Story & Significance
Edgar Allan Poe’s Tales of Mystery and Imagination is the definitive anthology of the macabre, collecting the foundational texts of both the modern detective story and Gothic horror. This volume includes "The Murders in the Rue Morgue," introducing the world to C. Auguste Dupin, as well as the psychological terror of "The Tell-Tale Heart" and the atmospheric decay of "The Fall of the House of Usher." Poe’s exploration of the "imp of the perverse" and the fragility of the human psyche revolutionized short fiction. This particular edition is elevated by the inclusion of Harry Clarke’s illustrations—haunting, intricate works that are widely considered the supreme visual interpretation of Poe's dark romanticism.
Physical Description & Provenance
Edition: Illustrated Edition (c. 1920s).
Publisher: George G. Harrap & Co., London (Assumed based on the Harry Clarke plates).
Illustrator: Features iconic tipped-in (pasted-in) color plates by the celebrated Irish stained-glass artist Harry Clarke.
Binding: Original cloth with period-appropriate shelf wear and bumping to the corners.
Condition Points: The book is in Good condition overall. There is evidence of minor water damage, primarily localized to the back board. Internally, the text and plates remain vibrant and well-preserved.
Collector’s Note
For many Poe collectors, the Harry Clarke illustrated version of Tales of Mystery and Imagination is the "holy grail" of illustrated editions. Clarke's Decadent style, characterized by grotesque details and elongated figures, mirrors Poe’s prose with unsettling precision. While this copy shows signs of its journey—specifically the water damage to the rear board—the presence of the pasted-in color plates makes it a highly desirable acquisition. These plates are often removed for individual framing, so finding an intact volume from the 1920s is a significant opportunity for the Gothic literature enthusiast.
The Story & Significance
Edgar Allan Poe’s Tales of Mystery and Imagination is the definitive anthology of the macabre, collecting the foundational texts of both the modern detective story and Gothic horror. This volume includes "The Murders in the Rue Morgue," introducing the world to C. Auguste Dupin, as well as the psychological terror of "The Tell-Tale Heart" and the atmospheric decay of "The Fall of the House of Usher." Poe’s exploration of the "imp of the perverse" and the fragility of the human psyche revolutionized short fiction. This particular edition is elevated by the inclusion of Harry Clarke’s illustrations—haunting, intricate works that are widely considered the supreme visual interpretation of Poe's dark romanticism.
Physical Description & Provenance
Edition: Illustrated Edition (c. 1920s).
Publisher: George G. Harrap & Co., London (Assumed based on the Harry Clarke plates).
Illustrator: Features iconic tipped-in (pasted-in) color plates by the celebrated Irish stained-glass artist Harry Clarke.
Binding: Original cloth with period-appropriate shelf wear and bumping to the corners.
Condition Points: The book is in Good condition overall. There is evidence of minor water damage, primarily localized to the back board. Internally, the text and plates remain vibrant and well-preserved.
Collector’s Note
For many Poe collectors, the Harry Clarke illustrated version of Tales of Mystery and Imagination is the "holy grail" of illustrated editions. Clarke's Decadent style, characterized by grotesque details and elongated figures, mirrors Poe’s prose with unsettling precision. While this copy shows signs of its journey—specifically the water damage to the rear board—the presence of the pasted-in color plates makes it a highly desirable acquisition. These plates are often removed for individual framing, so finding an intact volume from the 1920s is a significant opportunity for the Gothic literature enthusiast.
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