THE MONSTER and Other Stories. Illustrated

1899. New York and London: Harper & Brothers, 1899. 2 pp undated ads. Original red-orange cloth decorated in black.

First Edition. "The Monster" is a tense tale about a black man who, rescuing a white boy from a fire, in effect loses his face to the flames -- becoming a "monster" to the local white citizenry in spite of his heroic deed. (The frontispiece illustration shows a group of white boys daring each other to walk over and touch "the monster.") Though Crane wrote this as "an appeal for brotherhood between white and black" [Stallman], the story was largely condemned as too horrific for the reading public. The two "other stories" are "The Blue Hotel" and "His New Mittens." This is a nearly fine, attractive copy, with very little of the usual darkening of the spine; this has become a difficult title to find in much better condition. Williams & Starrett 23; Blanck 4085.