THE FIVE JARS
Book Details + Condition: Arno Press (New York). First Edition thus, 1976. Part of Arno Press' hard-to-find "Supernatural & Occult Fiction" collection. Facsimile reprint of the original publication, originally released in 1922. Hardcover with purple boards and silver titling to front and spine. 172 pages. Celebrated author of ghost stories, M.R. James, here tells the story of five jars containing magical ointments that give the protagonist / narrator special powers. He discovers the jars while vacationing at a country cottage, and follows the jars’ instructions to apply them to the eyes, ears, tongue, forehead and chest. Upon applying the ointments, the narrator gains the ability to communicate with animals and the ability to see, hear and talk to fairy-like little people. He also learns that evil witches and other creatures are trying to take the jars for themselves. The book wasn’t as popular as James’ other ghost stories, as he intended it to be for children, but it was deemed too frightening for the younger Victorian audience.
From the massive occult collection of King Lawrence Parker - academic, dissertation author, and book collector extraordinaire. Book is in near-new, unread condition, with firm binding, bright boards, Parker's bookplate to inside front board, and a clean interior. Please see our other listings for more rare Arno Press publications.
