THE MONK AND THE HANGMAN'S DAUGHTER

1892. Illustrated by Theodor Hampe. Chicago: F.J. Schulte & Company, 1892. 2 pp undated ads. Original pale yellow wrappers.

First Edition of this tale involving an illicit relationship between a monk Ambrosius and a local girl Benedicta who is shunned because she is, yes, the hangman's daughter. Per an introductory note, the tale was purportedly derived from an old German manuscript "obtained from a peasant" by the German novelist Richard Voss (1851-1918), and here adapted by Bierce and Danziger (pseudonym of Adolphe Danziger DeCastro). The "adapters" have been taken to task for claiming authorship on the title and dedication pages; also, (truncated) it is claimed that they added part of the final paragraph, altering Voss's ending. (In later editions dated 1907 and 1926 respectively, Bierce and Danziger each gave his version of the "translation" process) Printed in black and red throughout, this is a copy bound in wrappers (originally priced at 50¢); there were also copies in cloth priced at $1.25. It is in very good condition (minor soil, and modest wear to the spine); decent copies in wrappers are today much scarcer than those in cloth. Blanck 1112. (Inventory #: 15355)