Haunted Waters by Elliott O’Donnell, 1957 First Edition, Ghosts & Folklore

Overview:

Author: Elliott O’Donnell
Title: Haunted Waters
Publisher: Rider, London
Date: 1957
Edition: First Edition
Binding: Hardcover with original dust jacket
Pagination: 222 pages
Original Price: 16s net

Description

A first edition of Haunted Waters by celebrated British ghost hunter and supernatural writer Elliott O’Donnell (1872–1965), published by Rider in London in 1957.

One of O’Donnell’s later works, Haunted Waters explores the folklore, legends and reported supernatural phenomena associated with Britain’s rivers, lakes, pools and other bodies of water. Beginning with the premise that water has long been regarded as the dwelling place of spirits, O’Donnell combines traditional folklore with accounts of alleged hauntings and mysterious experiences.

Subjects include The Haunted Thames, A Norfolk Millpond Mystery, The Valley of the River of Death, and The Mystery of the Blonde Women, alongside stories associated with the Tyne, Tees, Wear, Eden, Shannon and other waterways. O’Donnell also discusses water spirits and folkloric beings including kelpies, pixies and phookas.

About Elliott O’Donnell

Elliott O’Donnell was one of Britain's most prolific writers on ghosts and the supernatural. His career stretched for more than half a century, producing works including Some Haunted Houses, Byways of Ghostland, Werwolves, Animal Ghosts, Twenty Years’ Experience as a Ghost Hunter and Ghosts of London.

Published when O’Donnell was approximately 85 years old, Haunted Waters belongs to the final period of his remarkably long career investigating and writing about alleged paranormal phenomena.

Original Dust Jacket

Importantly, this copy retains its original illustrated and priced dust jacket, showing the distinctive eye emerging from or reflected upon dark water.

The jacket retains the original 16s net price to the front flap and period advertisements for O’Donnell’s Dangerous Ghosts, Haunted Britain and Phantoms of the Night to the rear.

Condition

The hardcover volume itself is in very good condition, with a sound binding and generally clean, bright pages. Some occasional light spotting and age-related marks are present.

The original dust jacket is fair to good, with considerable age-related wear including rubbing, creasing, edge wear, closed tears, chipping and areas of loss, particularly around the lower front panel and extremities. The rear panel shows toning and general soiling. Despite this, the jacket remains substantially complete, retaining the front artwork, spine, flaps and rear advertisements. It is now housed in a removable protective sleeve.

Please refer carefully to the photographs for the exact condition.

Why Buy This Copy?

A scarce and highly atmospheric piece of mid-20th-century British supernatural literature, particularly desirable for retaining its original illustrated and priced dust jacket. An excellent addition to a collection of ghost hunting, paranormal literature, British folklore, Forteana or occult books.

Dimensions:

• Weight - 403g
• Height - 22cm
• Width - 14.4cm
• Thickness - 2.3cm