Guy Newell Boothby (13 October 1867 – 26 February 1905) was a prolific Australian novelist and writer, noted for sensational fiction in variety magazines around the end of the nineteenth century. He lived mainly in England. He is best known for such works as the Dr Nikola series, about an occultist criminal mastermind who is a Victorian forerunner to Fu Manchu, and Pharos, the Egyptian, a tale of Gothic Egypt, mummies' curses and supernatural revenge. Rudyard Kipling was his friend and mentor, and his books were remembered with affection by George Orwell.[1] (Wikipedia)
Doctor Nikola is an occultist criminal seeking world domination, a forerunner of many similar characters in popular culture of the twentieth century.  
 Illustrated by Stanley L. Wood.

Original publisher's pictorial cloth binding, with a picture of Doctor Nikola and cat on the front board and spine. Bevel edged. Gilt lettering to spine and front board. Frontispiece.