Statten, Vargo [Pseudonym of John Russell Fearn.]

8vo (185 x 122mm.), original blue cloth, spine lettered in gilt, original pictorial dust-jacket, bespoke quarter blue morocco folding box by Dragonfly Bindery in Rhode Island, leather and cloth onlays in green, red and white depicting face of the monster, some slight offsetting to endpapers, jacket slightly nicked with a few closed tears

Donald G. Drapkin, his bookplate; sale of his library at Christie's New York, 29 June 2005, lot 354

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

THE RARE FIRST EDITION of the novelization of the celebrated 1954 Universal film in which a team of scientists on an Amazon expedition encounters a fangled creature, apparently half man, half fish. The author John Russell Fearn (1908–1960) was one of the first British writers to appear in American pulp science fiction magazines, and generated a prolific post-war output in various genres including science fiction, detective stories, westerns and adventure fiction, writing under various pseudonyms. The Creature from the Black Lagoon was issued simultaneously in paper and hardcover editions, with both being scarce on the market.