London After Midnight | 1928, first edition to coincide with America's first Vampire movie, now one of the most sought after lost films.

This near-fine first edition of London After Midnight from 1928 offers a rare opportunity for movie enthusiasts and vampire fans alike to experience the earliest American vampire film as this photoplay is illustrated with eight scenes from the motion picture.

 Following the devastating MGM studio fire in 1965, no known reels of this iconic silent movie remain. Despite its tragedy, the first edition which is also the photoplay edition, features stills from the film, allowing viewers to witness Lon Chaney's chilling portrayal of the dark vampire (which, let's be honest, is seriously sinister). Without this book, pretty much all of London After Midnight would be lost.

With its lasting influence on the genre and its continued elusiveness (even after six decades!), this first edition is highly sought after. London After Midnight was America's original cinematic exploration of vampirism, drawing inspiration from Bram Stoker's classic novel Dracula. Its production, disappearance, and subsequent enduring popularity have solidified its position as the most coveted lost film in silent cinema history. Despite countless searches, no print has surfaced of the lot film making the first edition of London After Midnight all the more sought after.

In 2014, the only contemporary poster known to exist for the film was sold in Dallas, Texas, to an anonymous bidder for $478,000, making it the most valuable movie poster ever sold at public auction. This bidder was later revealed to be Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett. The poster is in his displayed collection at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto. (The 1932 film The Mummy held the previous record for a poster's sale at public auction, selling for more than $453,000 in 1997.)

Description and Condition:

First edition, photoplay edition issued to coincide with the release of the silent Tod Browning directed film starring Lon Chaney in the first American vampire film. Illustrated with 8 scenes from the motion picture. Original publishers green cloth in fine condition. Internally the book is fine. The original dustjacket is the best example available on the market with the colours of the brilliant illustration still strong and vibrant. There is minor loss to the spine, however a previous owner has used another Grosset & Dunlap jacket underneath this and the loss isn't perceptible until one removes the mylar covering. An excellent, near-fine example of this thrillingly rare title.

Published by Grosset and Dunlap, New York, 1928.