[SAM MOSKOWITZ]. SHIEL, M. P. (1865-1947). Shapes in the Fire. London: John Lane, 1896. 8vo. [vii], 324, [14, ads], [12, ads] pp. Publisher's brown cloth stamped red; custom facsimile jacket. FIRST EDITION, FIRST PRINTING IN CUSTOM FACSIMILE JACKET DETAILING PROVENANCE. As described on the inner flap, the volume was purchased by Shiel scholar John D. Squires from the auction of sci-fi historian Sam Moskowitz's collection at Sotheby's on June 29, 1992, as part of lot #692. The volume contains several additional inscriptions from Squires as well as Moskowitz's monogram stamp, also reproduced on the spine and rear board. 

Matthew Phipps Shiel, born "Shiell," was an innovator of the science fiction and horror genres, often published in The Strand Magazine and sometimes credited with the first works of "future history." His 1901 last-man novel The Purple Cloud was hailed by Lovecraft and H.G. Wells as "brilliant." In 2008, it was discovered that Shiel spent 16 months of hard labor in prison for the sexual molestation of his 12-year-old stepdaughter, which has produced a renewed critical interest in Shiel's frequent inclusion of often young, female heroines. 

Boards soiled and toned, spine skewed, corners bumped, spine darkened, casing separated, hinges broken and detached. Fair.