View allAll Photos Tagged AmericanEdition
Drink: Coffee
Food: Melting Moment biscuits
Book: 13 Clues for Miss Marple by Agatha Christie (1966; my copy is the 1968 second Dell Books printing with cover art by Teason)
1954; Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine December 1954 nr. 133 American Edition. Photo cover by Dirone Photography
“Homicide Hotel” by Joe Barry (Barry Lake)
A Jealous Woman Plus a Faithless Lover Equals Murder!
From the blurb inside the front cover:
Murder was an everyday affair for Donn O’Mara – but this was the first time in his career as a private eye that he had run into so many likely – and lovely – suspects . . . There was his alluring employer, Gale Storm – as beautiful and as deadly as they come . . . There was seductive Alison Denning, a gorgeous dame with more men than scruples . . . And there was a missing blonde whose pocketbook bulged with a dead man’s money . . . Only the dead man, Sam Gale, knew all the answers – but he was sprawled out peacefully, if grotesquely, on his hotel room floor, the victim of a cold, calculating killer who had to silence Sam whatever the consequences. But O’Mara was never too far from the murderer’s trail, a trail that led him from brunettes to blondes, bars to brawls – right into the killer’s lap!
From the back cover (accompanying a posed photo):
DEATH STALKS THE BIG CITY!
“I pulled her toward me again and her lips slid hard against my cheek. My arms tightened for an instant and in my ear she whispered, ‘I didn’t mean it this way, Donn’. Then I pushed her back and at that moment the door opened and a wild-eyed youth stormed into the room. ‘You sneaky rat,’ he snarled, ‘I’ll kill you for this!’ ”
This is the first book in the Phantom Book Series published in the USA from 1951-52. The number of Phantom books published in the USA is 14, all original hard-boiled crime stories. Australia also had a Phantom Book Series patterned after the USA series. The Australian series ran much longer and encompassed over 300 titles.
The eyes have it!
Born in Dublin, Harry Clarke (1889-1931) was one of Ireland’s greatest stained glass artists. He created over 160 stained glass windows for religious and commercial commissions and his name is synonymous with quality craftsmanship in his stained glass work. Clarke was also a renowned book illustrator for the London publisher Harrap during the first quarter of the 20th century, regarded as the golden age of gift-book illustration. His first printed work was Hans Christian Anderson’s “Fairy Tales” (1916), followed by Edgar Allan Poe’s “Tales of Mystery and Imagination” (1919). Perhaps his most famous work is Goethe’s “Faust,” which prefigures the disturbing psychedelic imagery of the 1960’s. He created 8 color plates and some 80 black & white illustrations for this work.
“Swamp Kill” by Whit Harrison (Harry Whittington)
“Cold Mad Men . . . Thrill-Seeking Women . . . And Brutal Murder In The Florida Swampland!”
From inside the front cover:
It was stolen money . . . Dirty money . . . A half million dollars’ worth . . . And only one man knew where it was hidden . . . Deep in the heart of Florida’s swampland. Three people wanted it . . . Bart Chesley, who was a big-time crime boss . . . Clarice, who was Chesley’s mistress . . . And Jim Thompson, a strong boy who had worked his way up in the rackets. Jim knew where the money was cached – and was not sharing the secret . . . Even if he had to kill off every one of Chesley’s hired hoods – and Chesley, too . . . Because Jim had plans which included a gorgeous brunette who was anxious to help spend that half million. But greed spreads its nasty tentacles in peculiar ways . . . So four men die in the barren swamps and the dirty, sordid money is carted off by the most innocent suspect of them all!
From the back cover:
“There was only one thing to do now. Get Evie out of my mind. And I’d do it. There was half a million waiting in that black river for me. I’d have plenty of women. I’d have everything I wanted. I lit a cigarette and looked around me, shivering. It was black dark in the scrub now. Not even the lights of the hotel penetrated up here . . . Loneliness went through me on the chill of the rising wind . . . Evie’s scream broke the forbidding silence, and I was running along the path after her before the first scream died out and the second one began. Screams of terror and pain. I ran blindly, without even thinking of what I was running into . . .”
This is the ninth book in the Phantom Book Series published in the USA from 1951-52. The number of Phantom books published in the USA is 14, all original hard-boiled crime stories. Australia also had a Phantom Book Series patterned after the USA series. The Australian series ran much longer and encompassed over 300 titles.
“Violent Night” by Whit Harrison (Harry Whittington)
A Dead Girl . . . A Hired Killer . . . And A Savage Manhunt!
From the back cover:
WHEN DEATH IS STARING AT YOU . . .
“O’Brian headed towards the front exit. He slowed, thinking. This trip was going to be it . . . The big moment. The showdown . . . The killer would be loose by now . . . He would be lurking out there in the deepest dark before dawn, waiting. That was fine. O’Brian was ready for him . . . Grimly he waved at the desk sergeant and started out of the station. Somebody was out there in the darkness, watching him . . . He tried to tell himself that he was wrong. But he knew better. When death is staring at you, you can feel its eyes . . . He kept his hand on the gun in his pocket . . .”
O’Brian wasn’t a shooting cop. He hated the thought of killing, but even worse than that he hated the men who had brutally murdered a sixteen-year-old girl. So, for the first time in his life, O’Brian set out to kill – without a troubled conscience . . . .
This is the 12th book in the Phantom Book Series published in the USA from 1951-52. The number of Phantom books published in the USA is 14, all original hard-boiled crime stories. Australia also had a Phantom Book Series patterned after the USA series. The Australian series ran much longer and encompassed over 300 titles.
"Married to Murder" by Harry Whittington
"SHE HAD A WAY WITH MEN -- A WAY OF LEADING THEM TO THE GRAVE!"
From the blurb inside the front cover:
When a beautiful woman is in a jam, it takes a rough and ready tough guy like Joel Palmer to come to the rescue . . . Everywhere that murder went, so went Palmer, but the ex-cop, turned private eye, finally balked at the idea of stepping into a dead man's shoes -- even if it meant into the arms of the dead man's very much alive, and very beautiful, wife . . . Being a sucker for dames, Joel finally gives in and plays sitting duck for a cunning killer -- a spot that was easy enough to get into but that took guts and gunplay to get out of! Fighting the police, a woman from the past, blackmailers, and a gorgeous gal that he'd like to have in his future, Joel manages to ferret out the truth and to send the killer on his unhappy way -- up the river!
From the back cover (accompanying a posed photo):
KILLER ON THE LOOSE!
"I knew a dozen guys wanted her, And I knew there was a reason for it . . . There was hell in her -- but if that was hell, that was where I wanted to be . . . I reached for her and she flung her arms around my neck . . . Then, suddenly, she screamed . . . it was a scream of mortal terror -- and as I leaped from her, she fell!"
This is the fourth book in the Phantom Book Series published in the USA from 1951-52. The number of Phantom books published in the USA is 14, all original hard-boiled crime stories. Australia also had a Phantom Book Series patterned after the USA series. The Australian series ran much longer and encompassed over 300 titles.
“Hunt the Killer” by Day Keene (Gunard Hjertstedt)
“As Exciting A Suspense Story As You Will Ever Read!”
From inside the front cover:
It’s no fun to sit in jail – yearning for your wife, longing for almost any woman, and dreaming of a way to avenge yourself against an unknown partner-in-crime who disappeared when the law closed in on you. But those were the thoughts that plagued Charlie White and made prison a living Hell for him . . . But soon these painful reminders would be in the past. He would serve his time and be free once again – free to find his wife and to start a new, happy life . . . Free to go back to his fishing boat – without the smuggling sideline. No more wild nights with lush, warm-blooded Latin women, no more carousing in Habana, no more easy money for him . . . But he was wrong again – for outside of those prison walls there lurked desperate men – and one diabolic killer who had Charlie White slated for a return trip to the pen – for murder!
From the back cover:
WANTED FOR MURDER!
“Night was long in coming. When it did come, I crawled out of the swamp and made my way, cautiously, back to the shore. No one tried to stop me . . . I walked back to the house and sat on the steps. I’d been all right while it was still daylight. Now I was beginning to panic, to start at sounds. I wasn’t afraid of the dark. I was afraid of what might come out of it . . . Ken knew I was on the island. Alone. For some reason Ken hated me. For some reason he’d made the manhunt personal. Was it because of Beth? Or was there another reason? But of one thing I was sure . . . Ken wanted to empty his gun in my guts!”
This is the eighth book in the Phantom Book Series published in the USA from 1951-52. The number of Phantom books published in the USA is 14, all original hard-boiled crime stories. Australia also had a Phantom Book Series patterned after the USA series. The Australian series ran much longer and encompassed over 300 titles.
Born in Dublin, Harry Clarke (1889-1931) was one of Ireland’s greatest stained glass artists. He created over 160 stained glass windows for religious and commercial commissions and his name is synonymous with quality craftsmanship in his stained glass work. Clarke was also a renowned book illustrator for the London publisher Harrap during the first quarter of the 20th century, regarded as the golden age of gift-book illustration. His first printed work was Hans Christian Anderson’s “Fairy Tales” (1916), followed by Edgar Allan Poe’s “Tales of Mystery and Imagination” (1919). Perhaps his most famous work is Goethe’s “Faust,” which prefigures the disturbing psychedelic imagery of the 1960’s. He created 8 color plates and some 80 black & white illustrations for this work.
For publicity to the important North American and trans-Atlantic tourist trade several railway and steamship companies issued 'joint' publicity in an effort to either sell a combined 'product' or simply to lower costs. This is issued by the Southern and Great Western Railways who, on home turf, were normally rivals for the importnat West of England trade but here are jointly promoting 'the home of history' and the two important trans-Atlantic ports of Southampton (Southern) and Plymouth (GWR).
The leaflet is monochrome and folds out to a map, published by the Photochrom Co Ltd. You can make out the inscription "American Edition"; interestingly at two places in the text small paper stickers have been attached re-branding this for the Australian and New Zealand market giving details of Thomas Cook offices in both countries. The cover shows the Tower of London and London Bridge, framed by some odd hand lettering, boxed out.
Born in Dublin, Harry Clarke (1889-1931) was one of Ireland’s greatest stained glass artists. He created over 160 stained glass windows for religious and commercial commissions and his name is synonymous with quality craftsmanship in his stained glass work. Clarke was also a renowned book illustrator for the London publisher Harrap during the first quarter of the 20th century, regarded as the golden age of gift-book illustration. His first printed work was Hans Christian Anderson’s “Fairy Tales” (1916), followed by Edgar Allan Poe’s “Tales of Mystery and Imagination” (1919). Perhaps his most famous work is Goethe’s “Faust,” which prefigures the disturbing psychedelic imagery of the 1960’s. He created 8 color plates and some 80 black & white illustrations for this work.
1947; Introducing Shakespeare by G.B. Harrison. American edition with a Canadian price sticker? Cover art by Robert Jonas.
Born in Dublin, Harry Clarke (1889-1931) was one of Ireland’s greatest stained glass artists. He created over 160 stained glass windows for religious and commercial commissions and his name is synonymous with quality craftsmanship in his stained glass work. Clarke was also a renowned book illustrator for the London publisher Harrap during the first quarter of the 20th century, regarded as the golden age of gift-book illustration. His first printed work was Hans Christian Anderson’s “Fairy Tales” (1916), followed by Edgar Allan Poe’s “Tales of Mystery and Imagination” (1919). Perhaps his most famous work is Goethe’s “Faust,” which prefigures the disturbing psychedelic imagery of the 1960’s. He created 8 color plates and some 80 black & white illustrations for this work.
Born in Dublin, Harry Clarke (1889-1931) was one of Ireland’s greatest stained glass artists. He created over 160 stained glass windows for religious and commercial commissions and his name is synonymous with quality craftsmanship in his stained glass work. Clarke was also a renowned book illustrator for the London publisher Harrap during the first quarter of the 20th century, regarded as the golden age of gift-book illustration. His first printed work was Hans Christian Anderson’s “Fairy Tales” (1916), followed by Edgar Allan Poe’s “Tales of Mystery and Imagination” (1919). Perhaps his most famous work is Goethe’s “Faust,” which prefigures the disturbing psychedelic imagery of the 1960’s. He created 8 color plates and some 80 black & white illustrations for this work.
Born in Dublin, Harry Clarke (1889-1931) was one of Ireland’s greatest stained glass artists. He created over 160 stained glass windows for religious and commercial commissions and his name is synonymous with quality craftsmanship in his stained glass work. Clarke was also a renowned book illustrator for the London publisher Harrap during the first quarter of the 20th century, regarded as the golden age of gift-book illustration. His first printed work was Hans Christian Anderson’s “Fairy Tales” (1916), followed by Edgar Allan Poe’s “Tales of Mystery and Imagination” (1919). Perhaps his most famous work is Goethe’s “Faust,” which prefigures the disturbing psychedelic imagery of the 1960’s. He created 8 color plates and some 80 black & white illustrations for this work.
Cover art by Maria L. Kirk.
Burnett’s story of a sickly and unloved 10-year-old orphan who finds joy and happiness in her secret garden is a classic of English children’s literature and one of Burnett’s best-known works.
Born in Dublin, Harry Clarke (1889-1931) was one of Ireland’s greatest stained glass artists. He created over 160 stained glass windows for religious and commercial commissions and his name is synonymous with quality craftsmanship in his stained glass work. Clarke was also a renowned book illustrator for the London publisher Harrap during the first quarter of the 20th century, regarded as the golden age of gift-book illustration. His first printed work was Hans Christian Anderson’s “Fairy Tales” (1916), followed by Edgar Allan Poe’s “Tales of Mystery and Imagination” (1919). Perhaps his most famous work is Goethe’s “Faust,” which prefigures the disturbing psychedelic imagery of the 1960’s. He created 8 color plates and some 80 black & white illustrations for this work.
"Who are you? Are you a ghost?"
Burnett’s story of a sickly and unloved 10-year-old orphan who finds joy and happiness in her secret garden is a classic of English children’s literature and one of Burnett’s best-known works.
"It seemed scarcely bearable to leave such delightfulness."
Burnett’s story of a sickly and unloved 10-year-old orphan who finds joy and happiness in her secret garden is a classic of English children’s literature and one of Burnett’s best-known works.
"Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise Him all creatures here below,
Praise Him above ye Heavenly Host,
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen."
Burnett’s story of a sickly and unloved 10-year-old orphan who finds joy and happiness in her secret garden is a classic of English children’s literature and one of Burnett’s best-known works.
1968; The Black Curtain by Cornell Woolrich. published by Ace in America. Cover art by Stan Hunter ?
Born in Dublin, Harry Clarke (1889-1931) was one of Ireland’s greatest stained glass artists. He created over 160 stained glass windows for religious and commercial commissions and his name is synonymous with quality craftsmanship in his stained glass work. Clarke was also a renowned book illustrator for the London publisher Harrap during the first quarter of the 20th century, regarded as the golden age of gift-book illustration. His first printed work was Hans Christian Anderson’s “Fairy Tales” (1916), followed by Edgar Allan Poe’s “Tales of Mystery and Imagination” (1919). Perhaps his most famous work is Goethe’s “Faust,” which prefigures the disturbing psychedelic imagery of the 1960’s. He created 8 color plates and some 80 black & white illustrations for this work.
Faust: "I wish you had something else to do than thus torment me when I'm quiet."
Born in Dublin, Harry Clarke (1889-1931) was one of Ireland’s greatest stained glass artists. He created over 160 stained glass windows for religious and commercial commissions and his name is synonymous with quality craftsmanship in his stained glass work. Clarke was also a renowned book illustrator for the London publisher Harrap during the first quarter of the 20th century, regarded as the golden age of gift-book illustration. His first printed work was Hans Christian Anderson’s “Fairy Tales” (1916), followed by Edgar Allan Poe’s “Tales of Mystery and Imagination” (1919). Perhaps his most famous work is Goethe’s “Faust,” which prefigures the disturbing psychedelic imagery of the 1960’s. He created 8 color plates and some 80 black & white illustrations for this work.
Born in Dublin, Harry Clarke (1889-1931) was one of Ireland’s greatest stained glass artists. He created over 160 stained glass windows for religious and commercial commissions and his name is synonymous with quality craftsmanship in his stained glass work. Clarke was also a renowned book illustrator for the London publisher Harrap during the first quarter of the 20th century, regarded as the golden age of gift-book illustration. His first printed work was Hans Christian Anderson’s “Fairy Tales” (1916), followed by Edgar Allan Poe’s “Tales of Mystery and Imagination” (1919). Perhaps his most famous work is Goethe’s “Faust,” which prefigures the disturbing psychedelic imagery of the 1960’s. He created 8 color plates and some 80 black & white illustrations for this work.
"Brutal Men . . . Dangerous Women . . . And Cold-Blooded Murder Stir A Small Town To A Frenzy Of Savage Revenge!"
An Original Phantom Suspense Mystery
“This is the shocking and timely story of Big Dan Malloy, a man who rose from poor boy to political boss of Phelpsburg. It was the little people who put Dan on top, who came to him with their problems and knew that if anyone could help, it was Big Dan. But when an insignificant tailor was brutally murdered because he knew too much about one of the town’s big-wigs, Dan realized the tremendous destructive power of the machine he had created. The fix was on, but Dan refused to be intimidated by threats of violence. Rejecting bribes, again putting off his marriage to his mistress of many years, Dan set out to slay the dragon single-handed. The monster had to be destroyed before it claimed a new victim – but if Dan had known who that victim was to be, he might not have been so headstrong!”
[From the Introduction]
“The deep blob of black became a faceless, formless man. Fists beat at Malloy’s face and body . . . Grunting, Malloy beat back. This was a business he knew. A voice came from behind them. ‘Step aside, Dan . . . Don’t break your fists on the guy. Let me slug him with my gun.’ Malloy tried to move to one side and the hard barrel of a gun swinging down in a vicious arc slashed him across the face . . . Malloy stood, dazed, between the two men, blind with pain, tasting the blood trickling down into his mouth. Then the gun barrel slashed him again . . . He caught at the bed to break his fall and the room was criss-crossed with gunfire . . .”
[From the back cover]
"Dickon came in smiling his nicest wide smile."
Burnett’s story of a sickly and unloved 10-year-old orphan who finds joy and happiness in her secret garden is a classic of English children’s literature and one of Burnett’s best-known works.
Born in Dublin, Harry Clarke (1889-1931) was one of Ireland’s greatest stained glass artists. He created over 160 stained glass windows for religious and commercial commissions and his name is synonymous with quality craftsmanship in his stained glass work. Clarke was also a renowned book illustrator for the London publisher Harrap during the first quarter of the 20th century, regarded as the golden age of gift-book illustration. His first printed work was Hans Christian Anderson’s “Fairy Tales” (1916), followed by Edgar Allan Poe’s “Tales of Mystery and Imagination” (1919). Perhaps his most famous work is Goethe’s “Faust,” which prefigures the disturbing psychedelic imagery of the 1960’s. He created 8 color plates and some 80 black & white illustrations for this work.
Born in Dublin, Harry Clarke (1889-1931) was one of Ireland’s greatest stained glass artists. He created over 160 stained glass windows for religious and commercial commissions and his name is synonymous with quality craftsmanship in his stained glass work. Clarke was also a renowned book illustrator for the London publisher Harrap during the first quarter of the 20th century, regarded as the golden age of gift-book illustration. His first printed work was Hans Christian Anderson’s “Fairy Tales” (1916), followed by Edgar Allan Poe’s “Tales of Mystery and Imagination” (1919). Perhaps his most famous work is Goethe’s “Faust,” which prefigures the disturbing psychedelic imagery of the 1960’s. He created 8 color plates and some 80 black & white illustrations for this work.
Doctor and scientist Heinrich Faust faces a crisis, nearly commits suicide, and then makes a pact with Mephistopheles, who promises to be his magical servant in exchange for Faust's soul.
Born in Dublin, Harry Clarke (1889-1931) was one of Ireland’s greatest stained-glass artists. He created over 160 stained-glass windows for religious and commercial commissions and his name is synonymous with quality craftsmanship in his stained-glass work. Clarke was also a renowned book illustrator for the London publisher Harrap during the first quarter of the 20th century, regarded as the golden age of gift-book illustration. His first printed work was Hans Christian Anderson’s “Fairy Tales” (1916), followed by Edgar Allan Poe’s “Tales of Mystery and Imagination” (1919). Perhaps his most famous work is Goethe’s “Faust,” which prefigures the disturbing psychedelic imagery of the 1960’s. He created 8 color plates and some 80 black & white illustrations for this work.
This is the water damaged front cover of the 1965 American edition sales brochure for BSA Motorcycles.
In 1966 I was working at BSA with a bloke called Stan who collected stamps. Behind the packing shop at Armoury Road all the wrappings from parcels were dumped complete with stamps, one wet day on a lunchtime raid with Stan I noticed this brochure in the pile of rubbish, it was stained and wet but the best copy of the now out of date literature. I took it inside, dried it page by page and 49 years later still have it. Contents will follow...
Weathercock: "I'll fly from this place, with one bound, to hell, or anywhere, to leave 'em."
Born in Dublin, Harry Clarke (1889-1931) was one of Ireland’s greatest stained glass artists. He created over 160 stained glass windows for religious and commercial commissions and his name is synonymous with quality craftsmanship in his stained glass work. Clarke was also a renowned book illustrator for the London publisher Harrap during the first quarter of the 20th century, regarded as the golden age of gift-book illustration. His first printed work was Hans Christian Anderson’s “Fairy Tales” (1916), followed by Edgar Allan Poe’s “Tales of Mystery and Imagination” (1919). Perhaps his most famous work is Goethe’s “Faust,” which prefigures the disturbing psychedelic imagery of the 1960’s. He created 8 color plates and some 80 black & white illustrations for this work.
Born in Dublin, Harry Clarke (1889-1931) was one of Ireland’s greatest stained glass artists. He created over 160 stained glass windows for religious and commercial commissions and his name is synonymous with quality craftsmanship in his stained glass work. Clarke was also a renowned book illustrator for the London publisher Harrap during the first quarter of the 20th century, regarded as the golden age of gift-book illustration. His first printed work was Hans Christian Anderson’s “Fairy Tales” (1916), followed by Edgar Allan Poe’s “Tales of Mystery and Imagination” (1919). Perhaps his most famous work is Goethe’s “Faust,” which prefigures the disturbing psychedelic imagery of the 1960’s. He created 8 color plates and some 80 black & white illustrations for this work.
Doctor and scientist Heinrich Faust faces a crisis, nearly commits suicide, and then makes a pact with Mephistopheles, who promises to be his magical servant in exchange for Faust's soul.
Born in Dublin, Harry Clarke (1889-1931) was one of Ireland’s greatest stained- glass artists. He created over 160 stained glass windows for religious and commercial commissions and his name is synonymous with quality craftsmanship in his stained-glass work. Clarke was also a renowned book illustrator for the London publisher Harrap during the first quarter of the 20th century, regarded as the golden age of gift-book illustration. His first printed work was Hans Christian Anderson’s “Fairy Tales” (1916), followed by Edgar Allan Poe’s “Tales of Mystery and Imagination” (1919). Perhaps his most famous work is Goethe’s “Faust,” which prefigures the disturbing psychedelic imagery of the 1960’s. He created 8 color plates and some 80 black & white illustrations for this work.
Haggard blends Inca history and myth in this adventure tale. He explores the Inca myth surrounding the rise of one of the Americas greatest pre-Columbian leaders - Pachacuti. Today, Pachacuti is best known for one of the most recognizable icons in the world - Machu Picchu. "Virgin of the Sun" was published in 1922, a scant 11 years after explorer Hiram Bingham rediscovered the lost city nestled in the Peruvian mountains. Bingham hadn't yet connected Machu Picchu to Pachacuti, but myth had already surrounded the Inca ruler who is credited with expanding Inca rule to cover a huge swath of territory on South America's western coast.
Haggard's story unfolds as a "modern day" antique hound translates 400-year-old letters found in an ancient chest. The letters tell the tale of Hubert - a fisherman working and living in England. Following a few small adventures and misadventures, our hero, Hubert, meets and befriends a strange man from a foreign land. After Hubert's wife of less-than-24-hours commits suicide and Hubert kills her former lover, he and his friend, Kari, are off into the Atlantic Ocean. Kari acts as a physical and emotional guide to Hubert who's immediately declared a White God by the various natives they come across after finding landfall in South America.
In addition to the Victorian era-like romance that leads to his wife's death, Hubert also falls in love with a beautiful Indian princess, Quilla - daughter of the moon. Haggard uses this surprisingly touching romance to further Hubert and Kari's adventure. [Source: Jason Golomb at the Goodread website www.goodreads.com/book/show/6328821-the-virgin-of-the-sun]
The Moonstone of the title is a diamond (not to be confused with the semi-precious moonstone gem). It gained its name from its association with the Hindu god of the moon, Chandra. Originally set in the forehead of a sacred statue of the god at Somnath, and later at Benares, it was said to be protected by hereditary guardians on the orders of Vishnu, and to wax and wane in brilliance along with the light of the moon.
Rachel Verinder, a young English woman, inherits a large Indian diamond on her eighteenth birthday. It is a legacy from her uncle, a corrupt British army officer who served in India. The diamond is of great religious significance as well as being extremely valuable, and three Hindu priests have dedicated their lives to recovering it. The story incorporates elements of the legendary origins of the Hope Diamond (or perhaps the Orloff Diamond). Rachel's eighteenth birthday is celebrated with a large party, whose guests include her cousin Franklin Blake. She wears the Moonstone on her dress that evening for all to see, including some Indian jugglers who have called at the house. Later that night, the diamond is stolen from Rachel's bedroom, and a period of turmoil, unhappiness, misunderstandings and ill-luck ensues. Told by a series of narratives from some of the main characters, the complex plot traces the subsequent efforts to explain the theft, identify the thief, trace the stone and recover it. [Source: Wikipedia]
No less an authority than T.S. Eliot called “The Moonstone "the first, the longest, and the best of modern English detective novels. (He must not have read Edgar Allan Poe.) The story was originally serialized in Charles Dickens' magazine “All the Year Round” between January and August 1868. “The Moonstone” and “The Woman in White” are considered Wilkie Collins' best novels.
The Moonstone of the title is a diamond (not to be confused with the semi-precious moonstone gem). It gained its name from its association with the Hindu god of the moon, Chandra. Originally set in the forehead of a sacred statue of the god at Somnath, and later at Benares, it was said to be protected by hereditary guardians on the orders of Vishnu, and to wax and wane in brilliance along with the light of the moon.
Rachel Verinder, a young English woman, inherits a large Indian diamond on her eighteenth birthday. It is a legacy from her uncle, a corrupt British army officer who served in India. The diamond is of great religious significance as well as being extremely valuable, and three Hindu priests have dedicated their lives to recovering it. The story incorporates elements of the legendary origins of the Hope Diamond (or perhaps the Orloff Diamond). Rachel's eighteenth birthday is celebrated with a large party, whose guests include her cousin Franklin Blake. She wears the Moonstone on her dress that evening for all to see, including some Indian jugglers who have called at the house. Later that night, the diamond is stolen from Rachel's bedroom, and a period of turmoil, unhappiness, misunderstandings and ill-luck ensues. Told by a series of narratives from some of the main characters, the complex plot traces the subsequent efforts to explain the theft, identify the thief, trace the stone and recover it. [Source: Wikipedia]
No less an authority than T.S. Eliot called “The Moonstone "the first, the longest, and the best of modern English detective novels. (He must not have read Edgar Allan Poe.) The story was originally serialized in Charles Dickens' magazine “All the Year Round” between January and August 1868. “The Moonstone” and “The Woman in White” are considered Wilkie Collins' best novels.
The Moonstone of the title is a diamond (not to be confused with the semi-precious moonstone gem). It gained its name from its association with the Hindu god of the moon, Chandra. Originally set in the forehead of a sacred statue of the god at Somnath, and later at Benares, it was said to be protected by hereditary guardians on the orders of Vishnu, and to wax and wane in brilliance along with the light of the moon.
Rachel Verinder, a young English woman, inherits a large Indian diamond on her eighteenth birthday. It is a legacy from her uncle, a corrupt British army officer who served in India. The diamond is of great religious significance as well as being extremely valuable, and three Hindu priests have dedicated their lives to recovering it. The story incorporates elements of the legendary origins of the Hope Diamond (or perhaps the Orloff Diamond). Rachel's eighteenth birthday is celebrated with a large party, whose guests include her cousin Franklin Blake. She wears the Moonstone on her dress that evening for all to see, including some Indian jugglers who have called at the house. Later that night, the diamond is stolen from Rachel's bedroom, and a period of turmoil, unhappiness, misunderstandings and ill-luck ensues. Told by a series of narratives from some of the main characters, the complex plot traces the subsequent efforts to explain the theft, identify the thief, trace the stone and recover it. [Source: Wikipedia]
No less an authority than T.S. Eliot called “The Moonstone "the first, the longest, and the best of modern English detective novels. (He must not have read Edgar Allan Poe.) The story was originally serialized in Charles Dickens' magazine “All the Year Round” between January and August 1868. “The Moonstone” and “The Woman in White” are considered Wilkie Collins' best novels.
Wizards and Warlocks: "On a road like this men droop and drivel, while woman goes fearless and fast to the devil."
Born in Dublin, Harry Clarke (1889-1931) was one of Ireland’s greatest stained glass artists. He created over 160 stained glass windows for religious and commercial commissions and his name is synonymous with quality craftsmanship in his stained glass work. Clarke was also a renowned book illustrator for the London publisher Harrap during the first quarter of the 20th century, regarded as the golden age of gift-book illustration. His first printed work was Hans Christian Anderson’s “Fairy Tales” (1916), followed by Edgar Allan Poe’s “Tales of Mystery and Imagination” (1919). Perhaps his most famous work is Goethe’s “Faust,” which prefigures the disturbing psychedelic imagery of the 1960’s. He created 8 color plates and some 80 black & white illustrations for this work.
Haggard blends Inca history and myth in this adventure tale. He explores the Inca myth surrounding the rise of one of the Americas greatest pre-Columbian leaders - Pachacuti. Today, Pachacuti is best known for one of the most recognizable icons in the world - Machu Picchu. "Virgin of the Sun" was published in 1922, a scant 11 years after explorer Hiram Bingham rediscovered the lost city nestled in the Peruvian mountains. Bingham hadn't yet connected Machu Picchu to Pachacuti, but myth had already surrounded the Inca ruler who is credited with expanding Inca rule to cover a huge swath of territory on South America's western coast.
Haggard's story unfolds as a "modern day" antique hound translates 400-year-old letters found in an ancient chest. The letters tell the tale of Hubert - a fisherman working and living in England. Following a few small adventures and misadventures, our hero, Hubert, meets and befriends a strange man from a foreign land. After Hubert's wife of less-than-24-hours commits suicide and Hubert kills her former lover, he and his friend, Kari, are off into the Atlantic Ocean. Kari acts as a physical and emotional guide to Hubert who's immediately declared a White God by the various natives they come across after finding landfall in South America.
In addition to the Victorian era-like romance that leads to his wife's death, Hubert also falls in love with a beautiful Indian princess, Quilla - daughter of the moon. Haggard uses this surprisingly touching romance to further Hubert and Kari's adventure. [Source: Jason Golomb at the Goodread website www.goodreads.com/book/show/6328821-the-virgin-of-the-sun]
Born in Dublin, Harry Clarke (1889-1931) was one of Ireland’s greatest stained glass artists. He created over 160 stained glass windows for religious and commercial commissions and his name is synonymous with quality craftsmanship in his stained glass work. Clarke was also a renowned book illustrator for the London publisher Harrap during the first quarter of the 20th century, regarded as the golden age of gift-book illustration. His first printed work was Hans Christian Anderson’s “Fairy Tales” (1916), followed by Edgar Allan Poe’s “Tales of Mystery and Imagination” (1919). Perhaps his most famous work is Goethe’s “Faust,” which prefigures the disturbing psychedelic imagery of the 1960’s. He created 8 color plates and some 80 black & white illustrations for this work.
Born in Dublin, Harry Clarke (1889-1931) was one of Ireland’s greatest stained glass artists. He created over 160 stained glass windows for religious and commercial commissions and his name is synonymous with quality craftsmanship in his stained glass work. Clarke was also a renowned book illustrator for the London publisher Harrap during the first quarter of the 20th century, regarded as the golden age of gift-book illustration. His first printed work was Hans Christian Anderson’s “Fairy Tales” (1916), followed by Edgar Allan Poe’s “Tales of Mystery and Imagination” (1919). Perhaps his most famous work is Goethe’s “Faust,” which prefigures the disturbing psychedelic imagery of the 1960’s. He created 8 color plates and some 80 black & white illustrations for this work.
The Moonstone of the title is a diamond (not to be confused with the semi-precious moonstone gem). It gained its name from its association with the Hindu god of the moon, Chandra. Originally set in the forehead of a sacred statue of the god at Somnath, and later at Benares, it was said to be protected by hereditary guardians on the orders of Vishnu, and to wax and wane in brilliance along with the light of the moon.
Rachel Verinder, a young English woman, inherits a large Indian diamond on her eighteenth birthday. It is a legacy from her uncle, a corrupt British army officer who served in India. The diamond is of great religious significance as well as being extremely valuable, and three Hindu priests have dedicated their lives to recovering it. The story incorporates elements of the legendary origins of the Hope Diamond (or perhaps the Orloff Diamond). Rachel's eighteenth birthday is celebrated with a large party, whose guests include her cousin Franklin Blake. She wears the Moonstone on her dress that evening for all to see, including some Indian jugglers who have called at the house. Later that night, the diamond is stolen from Rachel's bedroom, and a period of turmoil, unhappiness, misunderstandings and ill-luck ensues. Told by a series of narratives from some of the main characters, the complex plot traces the subsequent efforts to explain the theft, identify the thief, trace the stone and recover it. [Source: Wikipedia]
No less an authority than T.S. Eliot called “The Moonstone "the first, the longest, and the best of modern English detective novels. (He must not have read Edgar Allan Poe.) The story was originally serialized in Charles Dickens' magazine “All the Year Round” between January and August 1868. “The Moonstone” and “The Woman in White” are considered Wilkie Collins' best novels.