Valancourt Books has just reissued Florence Marryat's Blood of the Vampire (1897, published the same year as Bram Stoker's Dracula). It features Harriet Brandt, "daughter of a mad scientist and a voodoo priestess," who seems to have a curiously lethal effect on those around her.Actress, operatic singer, playwright, and spiritualist Marryat (1837–99) produced more than 50 books over the course of her lifetime.
Also new from Valancourt: Marie Corelli's Ziska (1897), "a supernatural tale of reincarnation, seduction, and revenge"; Sheridan Le Fanu's Carmilla (1871–72); and Richard Marsh's rare short story collection Both Sides of the Veil (1901). (BTW, Marsh' s grandson, the late horror writer Robert Aickman, celebrates a birthday tomorrow.)
About the image: A rendering of Florence Marryat from her acting days. New York Public Library.
3 comments:
Love that picture! Where did you find it?
It's at the NYPL. Just follow the link in the post's photo caption to find out more about it.
That is indeed an excellent picture! Can I be picky and mention that Marryat was actually born in 1833? The Dictionary of National Biography uses the incorrect date, and it has consequently been perpetuated in subsequent scholarship. I hope you enjoy The Blood of the Vampire.
Post a Comment