[DE KOVEN, Reginald, subject]. CHAMBERS, Robert W. (1865-1933). The King in Yellow. Chicago and New York: F. Tennyson Neely, 1895. 12mo. [ii], [1]-316, [1, ads], [1, blank] pp. Publisher's green cloth illustrated in brown with top edge gilt. FIRST EDITION PRESENTATION COPY INSCRIBED TO POPULAR COMPOSER REGINALD DE KOVEN ON THE FRONT FLYLEAF: "To Reginald De Koven Esq / with sincerest admiration / of the author / who is / so very anxious that / Mr de Koven should / write the score of 'The / Inca' -- / March - 1895." 

The apparent subject of Chamber's inscription is an unrealized production of the fictional opera "The Inca" which appeared in his 1905 novel Iole. The King in Yellow reiterates this interest in theater and embedded narratives through the inclusion of a fictional play titled "The Yellow King" that links the first four stories, haunting the characters who read it. On the basis of these stories the collection has been called "the most important book of American supernatural fiction between Poe and the moderns"; as the volume progresses it transitions from its initial horror stylings into a pure romantic vein reminiscent of Chambers' later work. Housed in a custom clamshell box. 

Light soiling and toning to boards, spine darkened, extremities rubbed. Large tear to full-title repaired at reverse with tape and glue, occasional spotting and soiling to text block, small ink stain pp 240. Despite defects an excellent copy, better than usually seen.