Hoffman, (E. T. A.) & Laboccetta, Mario (Illus.) ~ Tales of Hoffman

FIRST UK PRINTING : George G. Harrap & Co. Ltd., London : 1932

The First UK Printing published by George G. Harrap & Co. Ltd., London in 1932. Large 8vo., rust-red boards lettered and decorated in grey, black and blind to upper cover and spine; upper edge red; together in the unclipped pictorial wrapper (21/- net) featuring a design by Laboccetta; decorative title and 41 other full colour illustrations by Laboccetta, including headpieces, tailpieces, in text and full page; The BOOK with boards a little sunned at the edges and spine, slight rubbing to the outer corners, else near-Fine; The WRAPPER is in Very Good+ condition, seldom found at all, here with some light spotting and overall mild sunning; a little rubbed and spotted at the edges, with two closed tears to the head and foot of spine, 3 and 3.5cm respectively; sometime repaired internally with tape, now removed, with tape residue remaining. The wrapper is protected in a removable Brodart archival cover. First edition with these illustrations. E. T. A. Hoffman (1776-1822) was a German author, and a prolific writer of gothic, horror and fantasy stories. Most famous today for penning the novella on which 'The Nutcracker' ballet is based, Hoffman is considered to be one of the major figures in the Romantic movement of the 19th century. Here, the publishers have chosen five stories ('The Interdependence of Things'; 'The Sandman'; 'The Mystery of the Deserted House'; 'The Lost Reflection' and 'The Walled-in Door'), to be illustrated by Mario Laboccetta. Laboccetta was an Italian artist, born in 1899, who spent much of his early career painting scenery and stage settings for a travelling marionette theatre. Later, he gained fame in Paris for his illustrations in fashion magazines and for his poster designs, many of which were Surrealist in tone with abstract landscapes and warped figures. A perfect collaboration between these dark and twisted tales, and the strangely vibrant illustrations. Scarce in the wrapper.

BINDING: Hardcover
CONDITION: Near Fine
JACKET: Very Good+