Description
The third edition of Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson.
Small octavo, [8], 141pp, [1]. Tan cloth binding, title in gilt on morocco label affixed to spine. Bound by Otto Schulze & Co. of Edinburgh, with bindery’s imprint on verso of front free endpaper. Stated “Third Edition” on title page. Solid text block, spotting along edges of cloth, small mark to front cover. Toned endpapers, otherwise fine internally. A very good example.
(Beinecke 349) (Gertsley 30A) (McKay 348) (Prideaux 17)
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde was originally intended for release in December 1885, “but when it was ready the bookstalls were already full of Christmas numbers, etc., and the trade would not look at it.” (Longman, Balfour’s Life, ii. 14) The publication date was changed to January 9, 1886, and all printings with “1885” listed were changed to “1886” by hand. The work was very popular, selling close to 40,000 copies within the first six months. This third edition was published in the same year as the first edition.
