Ray Bradbury Dark Carnival Signed First Edition
Ray Bradbury's literature career spans decades and includes novels, short stories, and essays. Bradbury's earliest works can even be found on the pages of many pulp magazines. A collection of his short stories was published by Arkham House in 1947, Dark Carnival. This book is considered one of the most valuable Arkham House books, and a first edition -- especially a signed copy -- can be hard to find.
Heritage notes this book as being in Very Fine condition, and it does present extremely well. A similar example sold through Heritage in September 2022 for $1,560.
Fritz Lang's Metropolis First English Edition
Fritz Lang's Metropolis would change the film world while also inspiring many of today's science fiction films. The silent era film is a personal favorite and deserves every bit of praise that's heaped onto it.
Thea Von Harbou's novelization of the film is good, yet ultimately pales in comparison. That being said, it is an important novel and is deserving to be included in any collection. This first English edition copy is stunning, with bright colors on the dust jacket.
Heritage does note some light soiling and a cocked spine (among other things), but it is in Good condition. Similar examples of this book do pop up on Heritage fairly often, and almost always command thousands of dollars. In August 2022 a similar example sold for $2,760.
J.W. Brodie-Innes The Devil's Mistress
J. W. Brodie-Innes' historical novel about Isobel Gowdie -- who had confessed to witchcraft in 1662 -- is one of Brodie-Innes' most well-known occult novels. Brodie-Innes himself was an occultist and was a part of the Golden Dawn order.
This novel is still being published today, but finding an early copy is a rare treat. While this copy does not have a publication date, it is believed that it was published around 1915 when the novel was first penned. While finding an appropriate price point for this book is hard, I believe it could reach over $110. Heritage notes this book as being in Good/Very Good condition.
Fredric Wertham Seduction of the Innocent
Arguably the most horrific of any book in this auction, Fredric Wertham's legendary book Seduction of the Innocent would turn the world of comic books on it's head when it was published in 1954. This book harmed the industry in a number of ways by insisting that comic books were a danger to children. Because of this, The Comics Code Authority was established.
While the group of essentially null and void today, it had a serious impact on the types of stories and art that comic books could show. Wertham's legacy is largely a joke now, but this book remains an important piece in the history of comics. First editions of this book sell between $300 - $800 in similar shape. Heritage notes this copy as being in Very Good condition.
