Frank A. Munsey's Copy of Dracula by Bram Stoker

American newspaper and magazine publisher Frank A. Munsey was lucky enough to receive a signed copy of Bram Stoker's 1897 novel Dracula inscribed by the author on the day of publication. The seller now offering this volume on eBay surmises, "Undoubtedly, Stoker presented the book to Munsey in an unsuccessful hope that Munsey would serialize Dracula in one of his magazines." Munsey created a number of popular ten-cent pulp magazines, discovering a brand new market. He was also something of a novelist himself. The book has been rebound and is currently listed at $52,000. Too rich for my—ahem!—blood.

Inscribed "Frank A. Munsey/from Bram Stoker/22-6-97"

Dracula title page
Has anyone heard of Stoker's four earlier books?

Bram Stoker
eBay Listing as of October 21, 2017

https://www.ebay.com/itm/DRACULA-SIGNED-BY-BRAM-STOKER-TO-FRANK-A-MUNSEY-FIRST-EDITION-1897-/382082246377?hash=item58f5e066e9:g:QFMAAOxyBjBTVSI~

Bram Stoker
eBay Item Description

Quick Links to the Attempted Bloggery Archives

Bram Stoker

Signed,Books

Attempted Bloggery's Toothless Index

02342

Dracula: The Definitive Edition, Signed and Numbered by Edward Gorey

Dracula:  The Definitive Edition of the Bram Stoker classic was published in 1996 with an introduction and appendices by Marvin Kaye and with illustrations by Edward Gorey. The deluxe edition and lithograph are each signed and numbered by the artist. The edition is limited to 750 numbered copies and 26 lettered copies. Copy #638 was listed on Abe Books on August 8 and subsequently sold.

Bram Stoker
Abe Books Listing Beginning August 8, 2017
Note that the synopsis and review refer to two other very different editions of Dracula
Sold

January 1, 2018 Update:  Shown below are additional images found on AbeBooks of the unlimited edition, signed.

Signed by Edward Gorey

Edward Gorey's illustrations were originally published in Dracula, A Toy Theatre (1979).

Jonathan Harker

Note:  Your blogger is batty for scans and photographs of uniquely-signed books and original art by Edward Gorey.


Quick Links to the Attempted Bloggery Archives

Edward Gorey

Bram Stoker

Signed, Limited Editions

Attempted Bloggery's Bloodthirsty Index

02341

Edward Gorey's "Dracula" Theater Posters

This lot from Swann Galleries consists of a book and several posters related to Edward Gorey's "Dracula" (1977). I was lucky enough to see Frank Langella in this atmospheric production which ran on Broadway at the Martin Beck Theatre in the late 1970's. Note how in the theater posters the sky's dark negative space forms the silhouette of a vampire bat with the macabre full moon serving as the deathly face.

Edward Gorey, A Toy Theatre:  "Dracula," 1979

Edward Gorey, "Dracula" poster, Shaftesbury Theatre, 1979

Edward Gorey, "Dracula" poster, Martin Beck Theatre, 1977

Edward Gorey, "Dracula" poster, Curran Theatre, 1978

http://catalogue.swanngalleries.com/asp/fullcatalogue.asp?salelot=2349+++++287+&refno=++689144&image=3

"I Love New York" TV commercial excerpt

Frank Langella

"I Love New York" TV  Commercial

Broadway (2 of 5)

Note:  Don't miss my other blog posts about Mr. Gorey's artwork.

There is also quite a bit here about Broadway.

01233