Headless Horseman: A Strange Tale of Texas

REID, Mayne. The Headless Horseman: A Strange Tale of Texas. London: Chapman and Hall, 1865-1866; London: Richard Bentley, 1866. 20 Parts. First edition in original monthly parts. Rare, no auction records since 1975. Sadleir 2023. Wolff 5742. Without advertisemnts at the rear of Part 17 and without 4-page catalogue at front of Part 20, conforming to Sadleir copy II; all other advertisements conforming to Sadleir with the following exceptions: without "People's Pickwick" slip in part 1; insurance ad on green rather than pink paper in Part 8; Sadleir concedes we may never know the reason for the switch in publishers as the parts neared completion. Laid in is a 2-page autograph letter signed from Reid to D. Noble Chambers, inquiring about translators: "You said you thought you might procure some one who could translate for me a portion of a novel. Do you think they could be found at once? If so please let me know and I shall mark out a quantity of the original, and send it up to your care. I want the thing done within ten days from date, and I will give 10/- for every 20 pp. of the original. I have written an hour too early. I think I shall get Veola on every terms. Everybodys found bids fair to buy a novel from me. I shall sell if they bid high enough, and I make the payments secure--not otherwise...." Also laid in is a steel engraved portrait of Reid. Darkening to margins of a few plates, wrappers with light toning and a few light chipping and other faint spotting, reapirs to wrapper of Part 1, Part 12 wrappers darkened, one detached, else a very good set in custom cloth drop-front case with leather spine label.