The Merry Men, and Other Tales and Fables

London: Chatto & Windus, 1887 First edition, first issue, with earlier "September 1886" ads at rear. Publisher's blue cloth, with silver stars and black flowers to front board, spine lettered in gilt, and floral endpapers. Very good, with light soiling to front board, light toning to spine, light rubbing to corners and spine ends, some very shallow tears to fore edges of some pages, and rear hinge starting. Overall, an attractive copy. In this collection's title story, the narrator travels to stay with his devoutly religious uncle on a remote Scottish island, believing that sunken treasure is near the island. In his search for the treasure, the narrator encounters supernatural elements and makes a disturbing discovery about his uncle. Notably, the "Merry Men" referred to in the story are not Robin Hood's Merry Men, but rather a name given to the giant waves that crash against the island. The collection includes other supernatural tales in the vein of The Strange Case of Doctor Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1886), like the quasi-vampire tale "Olalla," and "Markheim," a story about the redemption of a murderer. . First Edition. Hard Cover. Very Good.