Edgar Allen Poe's Tales of Mystery valued at $6,000

A rare limited edition copy of Edgar Allen Poe's Tales of Mystery and Imagination is to auction at PBA Galleries.

The lot will headline an August 6 fine books auction in San Francisco, with a valuation of $4,000-6,000.

Poe Clarke Tales
Only 179 copies of this rare 1919 edition of Tales of Mystery were published

The book was printed in 1919 in an edition of 179 and is signed by the illustrator, Harry Clarke.

Clarke was a key figure in the arts and crafts movement that swept the world at the turn of the 20th century.

Other interesting lots in the sale include a collection of theatrical posters for John Steinbeck's play The Moon is Down.

Oscar Serlin, the play's producer, was the owner of the collection. The Moon is Down was adapted from Steinbeck's novel of the same name and relates the story of a Scandinavian town captured by the Nazis during the second world war.

PBA Galleries explains: "Like the novel before it, the play was publicly adored but critically lambasted.

"Life magazine reported that it was 'trumpeted louder than any literary event of the season,' while the critical consensus was that 'Steinbeck was too easy on the Germans, too optimistic about the ultimate victory of the Allies, [and ultimately] too moralistic.'"

We have a wide selection of books and manuscripts for sale, click here to take a look.

Please sign up to our free newsletter to receive exciting news about books and manuscripts auctions.

 

Featured products

Elvis Presley Authentic Strand of Hair
Elvis Presley Authentic Strand of Hair
Sale price£399
In stock
Fidel Castro signed certificateFidel Castro Signed Certificate
Fidel Castro signed certificate
Sale price£2,995
In stock
King Henry VIII Autographed DocumentKing Henry VIII Autographed Document
King Henry VIII Autographed Document
Sale price£55,000
In stock