Review: This is a very attractive production, with lots of excellent illustrations from the first British and the first American magazine appearances, as well as some of Ray Lankester’s pictures of prehistoric creatures, which partially inspired the novel, and photographic illustrations from the first book edition, featuring ACD himself as George Edward Challenger. There’s a most interesting appendix about ACD’s working MS and other papers, now held at the New York Public Library, and much else besides.
The notes are generally excellent, and conscientiously referenced, though there are lapses: 90 years ago the exchange rate was about $5 to £1, so a fine of £3/15/00 was closer to $20.00 than 75c! And the Camberwell tram that Malone chased after visiting Gladys went to Camberwell - presumably where Malone himself lived; there’s no conflict here with the suggestion that Gladys lived in Streatham. It’ll be a long while before we get a better annotated edition, though.
Reviewed by: Roger Johnson, [District Messenger 161, 1996]

Review: This is a very attractive production, with lots of excellent illustrations from the first British and the first American magazine appearances, as well as some of Ray Lankester’s pictures of prehistoric creatures, which partially inspired the novel, and photographic illustrations from the first book edition, featuring ACD himself as George Edward Challenger. There’s a most interesting appendix about ACD’s working MS and other papers, now held at the New York Public Library, and much else besides.
The notes are generally excellent, and conscientiously referenced, though there are lapses: 90 years ago the exchange rate was about $5 to £1, so a fine of £3/15/00 was closer to $20.00 than 75c! And the Camberwell tram that Malone chased after visiting Gladys went to Camberwell - presumably where Malone himself lived; there’s no conflict here with the suggestion that Gladys lived in Streatham. It’ll be a long while before we get a better annotated edition, though.
Reviewed by: Roger Johnson, [District Messenger 161, 1996]