A MYSTERY OF THE CAMPAGNA AND A SHADOW ON A WAVE by Von Degen (pseudonym of Ann Crawford Baroness von Rabe) - 1891

New York: Cassell Publishing Company, 1891. Tall octavo, pp. [1-4] [1] 2-203 [204: blank], original decorated mauve cloth, front and spine panels stamped in purple, fore and bottom edges untrimmed. First U.S. edition. Third volume of "The Unknown Library." "A novelette and a short novel, respectively. In the former, operatic composer falls victim to classical lamia, very reminiscent in plot and treatment to Gautier's vampiresses. 'A Shadow on a Wave' non-supernatural, love and death in Venice, an artist's obsession with beautiful unattainable subject." - Robert Knowlton. Baron (ed), Horror Literature 3-96. Bleiler, The Guide to Supernatural Fiction 1638. Carter, The Vampire in Literature, p. 106. Frost, The Monster with a Thousand Faces, pp. 48-9. Locke, A Spectrum of Fantasy, p. 220. Sullivan (ed), The Penguin Encyclopedia of Horror and the Supernatural, p. 343. Bleiler (1978), p. 201. Reginald 14731. Early owner's signature dated 12 November 1891 on the front free endpaper. Spine panel just a bit tanned, else a fine copy. A nice copy of a very delicate and uncommon book. Doxey bookseller's ticket on rear paste-down. (#148962)