H. Rider Haggard Works
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1885 - The Witch's Head
HRH's second novel
HRH's second novel
According to McKay and Scott, THE WITCH'S HEAD was first published in London by Hurst and Blackett in 3 volumes on December 18, 1884, though dated 1885. Only 500 sets were printed.
According to McKay and Scott, THE WITCH'S HEAD was first published in London by Hurst and Blackett in 3 volumes on December 18, 1884, though dated 1885. Only 500 sets were printed.
Whatmore claims the publication date was December 22, 1884.
John and Robert Maxwell published in London a 1-volume edition, supposedly May 1887. It has a black and white frontispiece.
Harpers published a 1-volume edition in New York with 1887 on the title-page.
Spencer Blackett published in London a 1-volume edition, supposedly in 1887, with a color frontispiece by E. Hume.
Later, circa 1893, Blackett published a new edition with 16 illustrations by Charles Kerr.
Circa 1906 George Newnes published in London an edition with 8 illustrations by Cyrus Cuneo.
I do not own any of the books pictured below, unless noted.
First British edition title-pages
First British edition title-pages
One of the 500 first edition sets of 3 volumes. This set was gifted to HRH's sister, Mary.
One of the 500 first edition sets of 3 volumes. This set was gifted to HRH's sister, Mary.
One of the 500 first edition sets of 3 volumes. This set was gifted to HRH's sister, Ella
One of the 500 first edition sets of 3 volumes. This set was gifted to HRH's sister, Ella
This set of volumes once owned by Ella sold in May 2021 for $5,829 plus an additional 30% Buyer's Premium, for a total over $7,500
This set of volumes once owned by Ella sold in May 2021 for $5,829 plus an additional 30% Buyer's Premium, for a total over $7,500
One of the 500 first edition sets of 3 volumes. This set was gifted to HRH's sister, Mary
One of the 500 first edition sets of 3 volumes. This set was gifted to HRH's sister, Mary
My copy of the Harper first American edition
My copy of the Harper first American edition
Harper first American edition title-page, my copy
Harper first American edition title-page, my copy
John & Robert Maxwell 1-volume reprint
John & Robert Maxwell 1-volume reprint
Spencer Blackett 1-volume reprint: red cloth with color frontispiece
Spencer Blackett 1-volume reprint: red cloth with color frontispiece
Some copies of the Spencer Blackett reprint have the same black & white frontispiece found in the Maxwell 1-volume edition
Some copies of the Spencer Blackett reprint have the same black & white frontispiece found in the Maxwell 1-volume edition
Spencer Blackett 1-volume reprint (Twenty-sixth Thousand) brown cloth with 16 illustrations by Charles Kerr
Spencer Blackett 1-volume reprint (Twenty-sixth Thousand) brown cloth with 16 illustrations by Charles Kerr
Spencer Blackett 1893 1-volume reprint with Griffith Farran on the spine bottom, my copy
Spencer Blackett 1893 1-volume reprint with Griffith Farran on the spine bottom, my copy
My rebound 1903 SIGNED copy that HRH gifted to John Hays Hammond, part of a set of 23 volumes
My rebound 1903 SIGNED copy that HRH gifted to John Hays Hammond, part of a set of 23 volumes
This copy has the Charles Kerr illustrations.
Newnes paperback reprints, some of which have 8 illustrations by Cyrus Cuneo
Newnes paperback reprints, some of which have 8 illustrations by Cyrus Cuneo
Street & Smith paperback reprint
Street & Smith paperback reprint
Arthur Westbrook paperback reprint
Arthur Westbrook paperback reprint
My copy of the Pearson's reprint in original DJ
My copy of the Pearson's reprint in original DJ
A 1920 Hodder & Stoughton reprint in original DJ
A 1920 Hodder & Stoughton reprint in original DJ
Below is an excerpt from HRH's autobiography concerning THE WITCH'S HEAD
Below is an excerpt from HRH's autobiography concerning THE WITCH'S HEAD
