Alraune
In this Frankenstein-esque tale of horror that blends the myth of the mandrake with science fiction and a dash of vampire lore, Professor Jakob ten Brinken creates Alraune when he inseminates a prostitute with the seed of a hanged man. The resulting Alraune is "an incarnate thought, a witticism made flesh and blood; she is, too, the embodiment of the sinister traits which mediaeval tales attributed to the mandrake."
Considered Hans Ewers’s crowning achievement, the work would influence later genre fiction in both horror and science fiction. Mahlon Blaine's illustrations grace not just the pages devoted to the plates, but end papers, chapter headings, and numerous in-text illustrations as well. A more perfection illustrator could not have been chosen. First Edition is stated one of 3000 copies.
New York: The John Day Company, 1929. Mahlon Blaine. First American Edition. Publisher's Black Cloth with Red and Gilt Stamping to Spine and Front Board. A Very Good Book in a Very Good Illustrated Dust Jacket. Mahlon Blaine Illustrated Endpapers. Red Top Stain. Book has bumping to head and tail, as well as some trace rubbing to boards. Last page remains unopened. Jacket is age toned with small chips to head and tail, wear to corners, and two small closed tears top and bottom of front turn-in. Rear panel of jacket also has 2.5 cm closed tear to bottom edge. Jacket now protected in archival mylar. Frontis Piece and 10 Full-page Illustrations intact. Hardcover. Octavo. [viii], [2], 3-342 pp. Very Good / Very Good. Item #1182
Price: $495.00