Stoker, Bram | Dracula, first edition

Bram, Stoker

Dracula. [London] Westminster: Archibald Constable and Company, 1897

8vo (191 x 125 mm). Half-title, 16 pp. publisher's catalogue at rear; occasional light spotting or creasing, preliminary leaves faintly browned, last quire faintly browned with short, closed edge tears. Publisher's yellow cloth, lettered in red, edges untrimmed; Boards lightly soiled, staining to lower edge of rear cover, spine sunned and faded, corners bumped and tips just fraying, hinges discreetly reinforced, a few neat repairs to cloth at spine ends.

First edition, later impression with publisher's catalogue, and the final integral leaf with the advertisement for The Shoulder of Shasta. Although not an instant success, during Bram Stoker's lifetime, sales of Dracula were steady, resulting in eight editions. Since his death in 1912 the book has never been out-of-print, has inspired numerous stage and film adaptations and has remained hugely influential in popular culture.

REFERENCE:

Haycraft-Queen

PROVENANCE:

Armorial bookplate to front pastedown — The KoKo Collection (Heritage Auctions, 14 September 2017, lot 45065)