{"product_id":"1896-rare-first-edition-the-were-wolf-by-clemence-housman-illustrated-2","title":"1896 Rare First Edition - The Were-Wolf by Clemence Housman, Illustrated","description":"\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eA rare first edition of Clemence Housman’s celebrated Gothic novella, complete with all six atmospheric illustrations by Laurence Housman and preserved in its original publisher’s distinctive russet cloth binding.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/strong\u003e Clemence Housman. Illustrated by Laurence Housman.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eThe Were-Wolf.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/strong\u003e London: John Lane at the Bodley Head; Chicago: Way and Williams, 1896.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEdition:\u003c\/strong\u003e First Edition.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Text in English.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 123 pages.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e 7 x 5.5 inches.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBinding:\u003c\/strong\u003e Very good original publisher’s russet-brown cloth binding, lettered in black to the upper board and spine, with Laurence Housman’s distinctive heart-shaped device to the front cover and double ruled borders at head and foot. Light expected rubbing and minor marks to the cloth, with slight wear at the spine ends and corners, but the binding remains firm, clean and notably attractive. Protected in a removable mylar cover. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eContent:\u003c\/strong\u003e Very good. The pages are generally bright, clean and well preserved, with only occasional light foxing and age toning. Attractive illustrated bookplate of Aimee A. Gibbons to the front pastedown, with corresponding rectangular offsetting to the facing free endpaper, as shown. Otherwise internally clean.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIllustrations:\u003c\/strong\u003e Complete with six full-page black-and-white illustrations by Laurence Housman, including the frontispiece \u003cem\u003eHoly Water\u003c\/em\u003e, together with \u003cem\u003eRol’s Worship\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eWhite Fell’s Escape\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eThe Race\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eThe Finish\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eSweyn’s Finding\u003c\/em\u003e. Also decorated with Laurence Housman’s elaborate ornamental title-page design and large decorative initial.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEstimate: \u003c\/strong\u003eUSD $400–600.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe book:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e First published in 1896, \u003cem\u003eThe Were-Wolf\u003c\/em\u003e is one of the most distinctive works of late Victorian supernatural fiction. Set within an isolated Scandinavian community, the story introduces the beautiful and mysterious White Fell, whose arrival inspires fascination, jealousy and fear as her true nature is gradually revealed. Housman combines the traditional werewolf legend with psychological tension, religious symbolism, sacrifice and questions of desire and identity, creating a novella whose atmosphere is closer to literary Gothic than conventional horror.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe first edition is also a particularly successful example of\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003efin-de-siècle book design. Published by John Lane at the Bodley Head, it combines the finely printed text with red-orange ornamental typography, decorative initials and Laurence Housman’s six stark illustrations. The restrained russet cloth binding and enigmatic heart-shaped device complement the strange beauty of the story, making the volume desirable both as an important early work of supernatural fiction and as an attractive example of 1890s illustrated publishing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe author:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eClemence Annie Housman\u003c\/strong\u003e (1861–1955) was an English writer, illustrator, wood engraver and prominent campaigner for women’s suffrage. Sister of the poet A. E. Housman and the artist Laurence Housman, she trained as an engraver and participated actively in the artistic and political life of late Victorian and Edwardian Britain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Were-Wolf\u003c\/em\u003e remains her best-known literary work and has attracted renewed attention for its unusual treatment of the female werewolf and its exploration of gender, temptation, morality and self-sacrifice. Housman later became deeply involved in the suffrage movement and was among the women arrested during protests against the government’s treatment of the Conciliation Bill.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe illustrator:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eLaurence Housman\u003c\/strong\u003e (1865–1959), Clemence Housman’s younger brother, was an English illustrator, writer, playwright and designer associated with the Arts and Crafts movement and the aesthetic culture of the 1890s. His decorative work was strongly influenced by medieval art, Pre-Raphaelitism and the revival of fine book design characteristic of the period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHis illustrations for \u003cem\u003eThe Were-Wolf\u003c\/em\u003e are among the book’s defining features. Their bold black line, medievalizing atmosphere and dramatic compositions intensify the story’s supernatural character, while his ornamental title page and distinctive cover device give the first edition a remarkably unified visual identity.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"MFLIBRA - Antique Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48909418299641,"sku":null,"price":350.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0953\/3348\/files\/20260827werewolf_01.jpg?v=1787873627","url":"https:\/\/mflibra.com\/products\/1896-rare-first-edition-the-were-wolf-by-clemence-housman-illustrated-2","provider":"MFLIBRA - Antique Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}