Les Mains d'Orlac [The Hands of Orlac]

Paris: Editions Nilsson, 1920. First French Edition, a trade softcover original, preceding the first English language edition by nine years. Text in French. Cover illustration by Maggy Monier. Rare.

A seminal horror novel, written by one of the most important French genre fiction writers of the early twentieth century. The basis for several films, including the classic German silent film starring Conrad Veidt, "The Hands of Orlac (1924), and its American rival, the sound version starring Peter Lorre, "Mad Love," directed by emigre Karl Freund for MGM in 1935, and today considered one of the greatest horror films of the 1930s.

Very Good in illustrated wrappers. All edges uncut. Slight lean, some vertical wrinkling to the spine, small chips at a couple of corners, and wrappers foxed (particularly rear wrapper).

Barron (1999) 4-125. Bleiler (1948) US. Clute & Nicholls US. Hubin (1994) US. Locke US. Reginald 12140. Senn US.

[Book #148871]