The Scarlet Pimpernel
New York and London: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1905.
First American edition. x, 312, [6] pp. w/ photo illustrations from a dramatic production. Bound in grayish blue cloth with gilt lettering, black and red stamping. Very Good, mottling and edge-rubbing to cloth, front hinge starting, grease pencil price to front free endpaper. Uncommon.
Exiled Hungarian Baroness Emma Orczy's dashing protagonist who hides under a meek public persona has been called the first superhero by many, most notably by Marvel Comics head Stan Lee. An enormously popular figure in early 20th century fiction, The Scarlet Pimpernel debuted in a 1903 stage play that was a slow-burner but a success nonetheless. Like Batman, he was an aristocrat with no superpowers but a desire to right the world's wrongs. The fact that the very first superhero was created by a female writer is no minor trivia. Orczy found great success with the character, writing sequels and inspiring radio, TV and film adaptations.
Price: $3,000.00