BLACKWOOD, Algernon (1869-1951). The Empty House and Other Ghost Stories. London: Eveleigh Nash, 1906. 8vo. [iv], [1]-316, [31, ads], [1, blank] pp. Publisher's full green cloth, front board decoratively stamped in red, black, and white, spine lettered in gilt. FIRST EDITION OF BLACKWOOD'S FIRST BOOK, AN IMPORTANT AND RARE COLLECTION OF GHOST STORIES; BLACKWOOD'S PENCIL INITIALS AND DATE (INDICATING THAT THIS IS ONE OF THE COPIES HE PERSONALLY GAVE TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY) ON TITLE-PAGE. IN ADDITION, THERE IS A PENCIL NOTE THAT INDICATES THAT THIS WAS OWNED BY ONE OF BLACKWOOD'S CLOSE FRIENDS, ALFRED H. LOUIS. On the ffep. a pencil note states: "Marked by A. H. Louis". There are pencil notes and markings throughout. Alfred H. Louis was an indigent British emigré who lived in New York. He took Blackwood under his wing when Blackwood resided in New York briefly. Louis was a partially mentally-ill mystic, who introduced Blackwood to the world of the supernatural and mysticism. In 1923, Blackwood dedicated his autobiography, Episodes Before Thirty, to Louis. 

Laid-in is Blackwood's membership card for the Savile Club with Blackwood's name typed (toned, with rusted paperclip marking). 

"The first collection by one of the great English writers of supernatural fiction" (Barron). 

Spine a bit toned, some wear, soiling, occasional scuffing to binding, front hinge starting, endleaves and text a bit toned, foxed, ffep. with paperclip indentation at top. Very good. Housed in modern full blue-gray cloth clamshell case.