THE SHILLING SHOCKERS: STORIES OF TERROR FROM THE GOTHIC BLUEBOOKS. by Haining, Peter, editor. (Isaac Crookenden, Sarah Wilkinson, Dr Nathan Drake, et al.) - 1978

London: Victor Gollancz, 1978. 183 pp, 8vo (8" H). 6 b&w illustrations. "The Shilling Shockers came about in the great days of the Gothic novels, at around the turn of the nineteenth century, many of which were enormously long three-deckers. In those days, before copyright existed, such titles were plagiarised and abridged by hacks into what were known as 'Bluebooks', paper-covered pamphlets retailing at between 6d and 1s - when the supply of three-decker Gothic novels ran thin, a good trade was done in Bluebooks comprising original short stories in the macabre field. It is on these short stories that Peter Haining has largely drawn for this collection. The book has a general introduction which explains the development, success and eventual demise of the Bluebooks, and in addition each story is introduced with details of its provenance and other relevant information." Contents: The Vindictive Monk: Or, The Fatal Ring; The Mysterious Novice: Or, Convent of the Grey Penitents; Captive of the Banditti: A Terrific Tale Concluded; The Spectre Mother: Or, the Haunted Tower; The Life and Horrid Adventures of the Celebrated Dr Faustus; The Old Tower of Frankenstein; The Bride of the Isles: A Tale Founded on the Popular Legend of the Vampire; The Lunatic and His Turkey: A Tale of Witchcraft; The Severed Arm, Or, The Wehr-wolf of Limousin; Five Hundred Years Hence!; Bibliography. Faint cigarette odour, very light browning to edges of textblock, tiny bump at tbottom of spine, light wrinkling at top of spine, tiny bump to bottom corner of both boards. Dust jacket has minor edgewear and very light edge wrinkling, very light rubbing, light browning at top of flap-folds.. Hard Cover. Very Good/Very Good.