Draculabram Stoker1931 Photo Playw. Org Stunning Dust Jacket & Signed Twice

Stunning, extremely rare example of the Grosset and Dunlap 1897 reprint, with the book appearing as though it went through a time machine! These are considered dated 1931 in conjunction with the Universal Picture's Photo Play starring Bela Lugosi.

The book still has its scarce original dust jacket without ANY of the usual color fading and without any of the typical brittleness found with the paper from either the book itself or the dust jacket. Scarce stunning condition and a'one of a kind' example of this famous photoplay. The book also comes with two cards signed by 2 of the actors from the 1931 photoplay, David Manners and Carla Laemmle. Additional images are included with this listing to show another copy of this book also with a'near fine' original jacket, however I have placed the two books side by side only to show the immense difference in the color tones of the jackets. Having seen many copies of this original jacket, one can say that it is shocking to see what the true original color tones are actually supposed to be, as the paper used for both the jacket and book was not of high quality, and as such the jacket is usually found with the red color dies turning orange and the off-white backround turning quite brown.

The actual book itself is in equally stunning fine condition, with crisp vibrant red boards, and creamy white pages with NO toning, NO brittleness, no writing, no stains--just perfect. This is most unusual as this book does not hold up well and is often found with discolored boards, with badly fraying, ripped and dried spines. This book has sharp corners, the cloth is hot red and even still haS the natural sheen left to the boards.

The titles are strong and unfaded. The binding is tight and square and appears as if it were never fully opened. The end papers are clean and bright with a "U" on the front end paper and a neatly printed inscription (inscription not shown as the signature cards lie on the ffep covering it). The internal pages are creamy white, supple, flat and in perfect condition with no marks, no foxing, no ANYTHING. Deep black unfaded top stain applied by publisher. The book appears as unread. Please see many images for more details. This book has been signed by two of the actors from the photoplay. Both are on loosely laid in bookplates located on the front end papers.

The first is a signature of David Manners who portrayed Jonathan Harker, with the second signature by Carla Laemmle. Distantly related to Princess Diana on his mother's side, Nova Scotia-born actor David Manners, nee Rauff de Ryther Daun Acklom, came from well-to-do stock. His father ran the prestigious Tower Road boys' school Harrow House and later became a literary advisor for E. Manners graduated from Trinity School where he first performed on stage as Fernando in The Tempest. Joining Eva La Gallienne's Civil Repertory Co.

He forged enduring friendships with the legendary teacher and later with Helen Hayes when both appeared in front of the footlights in the play Dancing Mothers. " He was discovered for films by director James ("Frankenstein) Whale who cast the actor in his highly successful movie Journey's End (1930). From there Manners played opposite Hollywood's female elite, servicing such stars as Katharine Hepburn, Barbara Stanwyck and Claudette Colbert in well-mounted soapers and tea-service comedies. But he became best known for his participation in horrors where his vital heroes were pitted against the likes of Bela Lugosi's Dracula (Manners portrayed Jonathan Harker), and Boris Karloff's Mummy. A lack of interest had Manners eventually abandoning films in 1936 and returning sporadically to the theater.

Most of his later years were spent painting and writing novels. Carla Laemelle's mini biography. She spoke the first line in the Dracula photoplay, and is the last survivng case member of this photoplay. Laemmle entered films in 1925 playing an uncredited role as a ballet dancer in the original silent film version of The Phantom of the Opera. (1925) and a very small role in the early talkie version of Dracula.

(1931), and (as of November 2010) is the last surviving cast member of both classic films. Laemmle continued to appear in small roles until the late 1930s and disappeared from the movie screen. She briefly came out of retirement to play a vampire.

In The Vampire Hunters Club (2001). The book comes with its stunnning scarce UNRESTORED original dust jacket and shows as a near fine example. This book must have been kept in a dark place for 80 years to still retain the true original colors found with this jacket. The jacket has no edgewear but some slight rubbing/tiny edgewear to edges and very tip of corner folds only, one tiny 1/2 intact tear to back, otherwise the jacket is perfect. Tiny very faded 3 letters written in pencil on spine.

The jacket has strong vibrant colors, is still soft and supple, with even the underside of the jacket still bright. The jacket otherwise has no rips, no tears, no chips, no edgewear, no fading, and no foxing. Fun, special and unique example of one of the most sought after photoplay books in spectacular condition. Trully an investment piece and the perfect gift for a photoplay or horror collector!

The item "DRACULABRAM STOKER1931 PHOTO PLAYW. ORG STUNNING DUST JACKET & SIGNED TWICE" is in sale since Tuesday, July 19, 2011. This item is in the category "Books\Antiquarian & Collectible". The seller is "iwc_2004" and is located in New Canaan, Connecticut. This item can be shipped to United States, all countries in Europe, all countries in continental Asia, Canada, Australia.

Binding: Hardcover w/Jacket
Subject: Literature & Fiction
Topic: Horror
Special Attributes: 1st Edition
Origin: American
Printing Year: 1931