First Danish edition of the author's first book, octavo; bound in original printed pictorial wrappers, all edges uncut (a few tiny spots; edgewear to wrappers, rear panel lightly soiled, a few bumps to foot of spine); bookplate with initials P.H. pasted to inside front wrapper; housed in a custom cloth-lined clamshell box; 8 3/8 x 5 ¾ in.
Originally written in English, Dinesen's (aka Karen Blixen) debut work comprises seven short gothic tales. Despite facing rejections from many English publishers, it was finally released by in the U.S. by Harrison Smith & Robert Hass in 1934. Following its initial publication, it was selected by the Book-of-the-Month Club for its April newsletter in 1934. Dorothy Canfield provided crucial support and recommendation, essentially guaranteeing a wider release and greater attention. Seven Gothic Tales was very well received in the United States, garnering Blixen positive acclaim and increasing interest in her second work, the autobiographical Out of Africa, published in 1937.
See "Margaret Atwood on the Show-stopping Isak Dinesen" in The Guardian, 29 November, 2013.
![Dinesen, Isak [aka Karen Blixen] (1885-1962) Syv Fantastiske Fortaellinger.](https://catalogue.swanngalleries.com/full//762\816762.jpg)
