London: Sampson, Low, Son & Co., 1862. First / First. Hardback. A very good copy. This is the first book issue, the story having been previously published in All The Year Round. A Victorian Gothic exploring the contrast between scientific rationalism and the supernatural via the meeting of a physician’s and an occultist seeking the secret elixir of life. Not as well remembered as Bulwer-Lytton's The Coming Race, but up there with his most important works. Noted as an influence on Bram Stoker's Dracula. Spine tips and corners a littled rubbed and bumped. Cloth a little marked and rubbed. Slight reading lean. A nice copy. Published as "By the Author of 'Rienzi,' 'My Novel,' etc. etc. etc." Edward Bulwer-Lytton (1803–1873) was a prolific novelist and politician who coined the phrase "the pen is mightier than the sword" and wrote the proto-science fiction classic The Coming Race. Very Good. Item #13286