DOYLE, Sir Arthur Conan (1859-1930). The Coming of the Fairies. London: Hodder and Stoughton Ltd., [1922]. 8vo. Illustrated with numerous photographic plates. 139 pp. Publisher's full dark blue cloth, front board ruled in blind, spine lettered in gilt. FIRST EDITION OF ONE OF DOYLE'S MOST FAMOUS BOOKS ON SPIRITUALITY - HIS SUPPORT OF THE FAMOUS "COTTINGLEY FAIRIES" HOAX. In 1917, two cousins, Elsie Wright and Frances Griffiths, took photos of "fairies" near their home in Cottingley, England. When these photos came to Doyle's attention, he used them as "proof" of the existence of fairies. He wrote articles and this book in support of fairies. Several people at the time believed these photos were a hoax, and Doyle believed them to be real. In 1983, the cousins confessed that the photos were fake, using cut-out pictures of fairies placed in natural backgrounds for the photos. This event was the basis of the 1997 film, Fairy Tale: A True Story (this film featured Peter O'Toole as Doyle and Harvey Keitel as Harry Houdini (who never investigated the Cottingley Fairies)). 

Spine a bit sunned, minor rubbing to binding, endleaves offset, pencil ownership signature on ffep. (the following blank has a faint indentation from this signature), text with occasional foxing. Still, a fine copy.