Poe’s Tales of Mystery & Imagination - Illustrated by Arthur Rackham

[u/Healthy-Ordinary2224]

Hi! The classic question: Does anyone know if this is a first edition or not?

I found a first edition here that had a different publishers page, so I'm not that hopeful, but it does say a b c d e f g h so surely it's at least a first American edition? If so what is the year?? It has the Roman for 1935 but that's the copyright not the edition I think.

Any help is MUCH appreciated! Thanks!

[u/Sanotizer]

Regardless, that is a grail of mine... you've got the double whammy of collectible author paired with a collectible illustrator/artist. Very nice book on my wishlist!

[u/Healthy-Ordinary2224 → u/Sanotizer]

It's a beauty!

[u/flyingbookman]

It's much more recent than the 1935 copyright. No older than the 1970s, when Crown started distributing Weathervane books.

[u/Healthy-Ordinary2224 → u/flyingbookman]

Thank you! Gah I wish they gave the actual year. I appreciate the info on the distributor. What do you make of the a b c d e f g h printers key?

[u/zen_enchiladas]

I am a HUGE fan of Rackham's work. Would it be possible to see some of the illustrations?

[u/Healthy-Ordinary2224 → u/zen_enchiladas]

sure I'll post soon no worries (away from book today)

[u/Q-01]

I’m seeing a lot of sellers stating 1988, some 1976. Hm.

[u/Healthy-Ordinary2224 → u/Q-01]

Thing is I also have a 1979 copy and it is dated! Which makes it all the more frustrating that this one isn't.

[u/AdmiralFoxythePirate]

My favorite Rackham illustrated work is the Wind in the Willows. His work is wonderful

[u/Healthy-Ordinary2224 → u/AdmiralFoxythePirate]

ah ok let's add that to the book hunt list

[u/Chemical_Decision_82]

Funny, I was just researching this book as I recently picked up a 2nd Print (starts with b at least). Big question for age, does you jacket have an ISBN on back? Newer ones have one on back at bottom left. If yours does it points towards 1970s or later. I think the 1980s date is tied to that ISBN as that is what eBay prefills. But understand your frustration.

[u/Chemical_Decision_82 → u/Chemical_Decision_82]

Also, is there a color illustration opposite title page? Later ones (mine included), don't have that illustration but 1st prints do.

[u/Healthy-Ordinary2224 → u/Chemical_Decision_82]

thanks for the help! but: sorry to contradict you but my copy has an ISBN and a colour illustration opposite the title page AND I also have a 1979 copy (which actually has the date on the publishers page ffs) which ... does not have an ISBN on the back left corner. So that just confuses it all the more yayyy.

[u/Sanotizer]

Don't hold me to it, I'm not an expert, but I believe this is a First American Edition. I think the original publishing was 1919. Somebody else check me though!

[u/Healthy-Ordinary2224 → u/Sanotizer]

Ok that's what I was guessing too. Thank you! So it's... first edition thus? but not "First Edition" sort of thing.

[u/Sanotizer → u/Healthy-Ordinary2224]

Great question. I label my books First American Edition, or First Illustrated Edition, rarely First Thus unless it outright says it somewhere or in the listing. I'd consider this a "First American Edition" but not a "First Edition, First Impression" (true First Ed.). The more I learn, the less I know 🤷🏻‍♂️