New Arabian Nights. by Stevenson, Robert Louis - 1882

London: Chatto & Windus, 1882. First edition, first printing of the short story collection containing Stevenson's first published fiction, considered by many to be his best work with page 155 of second volume misnumbered '55', and 'Maletroit' misspelt 'Maledroit' on page 179. Octavos, two volumes, original green cloth with gilt titles to the spine and arabesque decorations to the front panels, with the 32-page publisher's catalogue at rear of second volume, dated May 1882. In near fine condition. From the library of bibliophile and yachtsman Henry C. Taylor with his bookplate to the pastedown of each volume. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell and chemise case. An exceptional example. A collection of short stories previously published in magazines between 1877 and 1880, Stevenson's New Arabian Nights proved to be a pioneering work in the English short story tradition. The collection contains Stevenson's first ever published fiction, A Lodging for the Night, as well as The Pavilion on the Links which Arthur Conan Doyle characterized "the high-water mark of Stevenson's genius" and "the first short-story in the world".