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#FE-15 - “VOODOO FIRE IN HAITI” - Richard A. Loederer - Doubleday, Doran & Co. - 1935 - Stated First Edition in dustjacket - $50.00 Austrian-born artist and author, Richard Loederer explored every corner of Haiti, with paint box and machete, in the early 1930’s. He penetrated the primeval jungle where the mists of decay rising from marshy ground mingled with the intoxicating perfume of vivid fruits and flowers. He visited Sans-Souci and La Ferriere, the palace and citadel of the black genius, King Christophe. He visited the native night club of Port-au-Prince and a jungle voodoo celebration of the blood sacrifice. He has penetrated far into the primitive soul of the negro people who were brought to this island from Africa. The roots of the Voodoo religion have their foundation in that continent, and have merely been given new life in this new Caribbean home. The book is illustrated with 5-dozen of the famous series of Haitian wood cuts which made a sensation when they were exhibited in Vienna and New York. In addition, the end papers are illustrated with a map of the country, its features, inhabitants and surrounding seas, all done in Loederer’s unique style. Bound in blind-stamped, illustrated orange cloth, with gold on black titles on the spine, the book is in VeryGood+ condition, with light bumping and very light soil at the extremities of the spine only. Inside, there is a bit of light toning at the hinges, which are unbroken and tight... as is the entire binding. The interior pages are crisp, clean, tight, bright and without fault! The dustjacket is Good-, with several chips at the extremities (see our photo), but otherwise largely intact and complete. Though a small part of a couple of letters of the title, at the top of the dustjacket spine, are affected all printing on the jacket is still legible. Someone prior to us has used now yellowed tape to hold the back panel of the dustjacket to the spine of same. Because of it’s very dramatic front panel illustration, we felt the need to protect it in a Brodart dustjacket cover.