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A substantial 1938 Modern Library Giant edition of The Complete Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe, with an introduction by Hervey Allen. Over 1,000 pages of Poe’s legendary Gothic tales, detective fiction, poetry and critical writings in a classic red-cloth Modern Library binding. Vintage copy with a 1949 London ownership inscription and a notable burn/scorch mark at the inner gutter.
1 in stock
The Complete Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe by Edgar Allan Poe is an impressive vintage Modern Library collection bringing together the extraordinary literary output of one of the most influential figures in American literature. Published in New York by The Modern Library, Random House, in 1938, this substantial hardcover runs to more than 1,000 pages and forms Modern Library Giant No. 40. This is identified bibliographically as the first Modern Library Giant edition.
With an introduction by noted Poe biographer Hervey Allen, Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe presents Poe’s celebrated tales alongside his poetry and selections from his critical writings. Among the works represented are enduring classics of Gothic and supernatural literature such as The Fall of the House of Usher, The Tell-Tale Heart, The Black Cat, The Pit and the Pendulum, The Masque of the Red Death and The Cask of Amontillado, together with his pioneering detective fiction and celebrated poetry.
Poe’s influence extends far beyond nineteenth-century American literature. His psychological tales helped define modern horror fiction, while stories such as The Murders in the Rue Morgue played a foundational role in the development of detective fiction. This large collected edition therefore provides an excellent single-volume introduction to Poe as storyteller, poet, critic and literary innovator.
The vintage Modern Library presentation adds considerable period character. Bound in red cloth with the distinctive gilt-and-black Modern Library running-figure device to the front board and spine, Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe is an appealing example of the publisher’s classic Giant series. A previous owner’s inscription dated London, October 1949 adds an interesting element of provenance and shows that the book had travelled internationally relatively early in its life.
Condition – Good
Red cloth boards show general age-related wear, rubbing and fading, particularly to the spine, with several small marks to the boards. Page edges are toned and spotted. Previous owner’s handwritten inscription to the front endpaper. Of particular note is a distinct burn/scorch mark at the inner margin/gutter of the back free endpaper.
