Dracula

Dracula
by Bram Stoker
Adopted for Conservation by
Michelle Baldacci
in honor of David Baldacci
on October 23, 2017
Dracula

Dracula

By Bram Stoker. New York: Doubleday & McClure Co., 1899.

This is the 1st American edition of the classic tale of horror and suspense (also well known for its film versions).  The Libraries' copy, in the original publisher’s decorated cloth covers with a marvelous illustration of Dracula’s castle complete with bats flying overhead, is inscribed by Stoker himself to Benjamin B. Comegys (1819-1900), a wealthy Philadelphia businessman.  How did such a book come to be in the Dibner Library?  The Comegys family’s library had been a period-room exhibition in the National Museum of American History from 1966 to 1984, and the books were transferred to the Dibner when the exhibition was replaced.  The library collection included religious and educational works, as well as fiction (including extensive extra-illustrated sets of the works of various 19th century English authors).   

Condition and Treatment: 

A late 19th century cloth publishers binding stamped with the image of a castle and a rising/setting sun. The spine is detaching and there are areas of loss in the gutter margins and at the head and tail of the spine. The front board is nearly detached. The front pastedown is signed by the author: "B.B. Comegys with Bram Stokers very kind regards 15.12.99" There is a 7cm tear on the top of the facing page. The textblock is generally in good condition. Conservators will remove the partially de-tached case and clean and reline the spine. The case will be repaired using airplane linen toned to compliment the original bookcloth color. The torn endpaper will be repaired using Japanese paper. Finally, a clamshell box will be created to house this unique volume.

Discover more about this book in our Catalog.

Adoption Type: Preserve for the Future