Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

First English edition, cloth issue of Stevenson’s classic work, printed simultaneously in wrappers. Octavo, bound in half morocco over marbled boards, patterned endpapers. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the title page, "For my dear friend C. Bronson Robert Louis Stevenson June 1, 1888." The recipient, Crevole Brenson was the editor of The Monterey Californian. Before reuniting with Fanny Van de Grift Osbourne (1840-1914) in San Francisco in 1879 Stevenson spent a formative period in Monterey, California. His voyage to the United States to see Osbourne had taken an enormous toll on his health, and he was forced to spend a few months convalescing in Monterey. While there, he met Crevole Bronson, the editor of one of the earliest California newspapers, The Monterey Californian. Stevenson found a kindred spirit in Bronson, who also possessed passionate literary aspirations. They often spent time together at Simoneau's, a French restaurant beloved by Stevenson and frequented by the bohemian intellectuals who found themselves in Monterey. Most importantly, Bronson gave Stevenson his first writing job, hiring the yet unpublished author as a reporter for the paper at two dollars a week. Stevenson spent only four months at the job but was undoubtedly shaped by the experience. He would go on to write many pieces about his time in California and even set his novel Treasure Island in Point Lobos. Stevenson found fame with Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde almost a decade after leaving Monterey and likely sent the present lot to Bronson in gratitude for his recognition and friendship at a time when the author was still relatively unknown. With a Typed Letter Signed by Stevenson bibliographer Gertrude Hills to a Captain Pleadwell dated February 28th, 1933, discussing Stevenson's handwriting and regretting that she could not see the present lot, signed by her in green ink on her stationery; 1 page, laid in at front. In very good condition lacking half-title and advertisements, scattered minor stains, cut-out quotation pasted to blank opposite title; rebacked with original spine label preserved. Inscribed copies of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde very rarely appear at auction, with only record since 1994.