The Mysteries of Udolpho, A Romance; Interspersed with some Pieces of Poetry
Radcliffe, Ann
London. G. G. and J. Robinson, Paternoster Row. 1794
Sold
First edition of Ann Radcliffe's influential Gothic novel.
Satirised by Jane Austen, praised by Sir Walter Scott, mentioned by Dostoevsky and an important influence on Edgar Allen Poe, The Mysteries of Udolpho with its orphaned heroine, gloomy castles, exotic locations, apparently supernatural events and scheming (Italian) villain is the archetype of Gothic romance.
'Mrs. Radcliffe has a title to be considered as the first poetess of romantic fiction; that is, if actual rhyme shall not be deemed essential to poetry'. (Sir Walter Scott).
[PROVENANCE: Armorial bookplate of John Jeffreys Pratt, 2nd Earl Camden to front pastedown of each volume; by descent].
Satirised by Jane Austen, praised by Sir Walter Scott, mentioned by Dostoevsky and an important influence on Edgar Allen Poe, The Mysteries of Udolpho with its orphaned heroine, gloomy castles, exotic locations, apparently supernatural events and scheming (Italian) villain is the archetype of Gothic romance.
'Mrs. Radcliffe has a title to be considered as the first poetess of romantic fiction; that is, if actual rhyme shall not be deemed essential to poetry'. (Sir Walter Scott).
[PROVENANCE: Armorial bookplate of John Jeffreys Pratt, 2nd Earl Camden to front pastedown of each volume; by descent].
Printed title to each vol., pp. 428; 478; 463; 428. Leaves R11 and R12 in vol. II with loss to top forecorners and slight loss of text. 4 vols. 12mo. Full contemporary calf, boards ruled in gilt, spines ruled in gilt with red morocco title labels with gilt titles, black morocco labels with vol. numbers gilt, urn ornaments in remaining compartments.
#38961
