John William Polidori. The Vampyre; A Tale. London: Sherwood, Neely, and Jones, 1819.. ...

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John William Polidori. The Vampyre; A Tale. London: Sherwood, Neely, and Jones, 1819.

First edition, third issue. Octavo. 84 pages.

Dark brown three-quarter calf with marbled boards, gilt spine with raised bands. With half title. Moderate wear to covers and corners with rubbing to head and tail of spine. Age toning and occasional foxing to interior pages; a few small tears and one corner missing from half title.

The Vampyre was conceived during the same competitive story-telling evening as Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, and was written by Byron's doctor, John William Polidori (1795-1821). Originally published under Byron's name, Polidori sought an injunction against the printer and Byron disowned it altogether. Although the book was successful, Polidori made little from it; he committed suicide two years later. A wonderful issue for any horror collector. From the Robert and Diane Yaspan Collection.