Shea, Cornelius
Entry updated 12 September 2022. Tagged: Author.
(1863-1920) US author for the silent screen and author of dime novels (see Dime-Novel SF), prolific in many categories but best remembered for marvel stories using a fairly consistent "mythology" of dwarfs, subterranean eruptions, and stage illusion masquerading as supernatural magic. His first tale of sf interest seems to be The Air Voyagers; Or, a Trip to the Moon in a Balloon: A Tale of Wonderful Adventure (1880 chap), which may have been self-published. His other work of sf interest was published by the dime-novel industry. Into Unknown Lands; Or, the Secret of the Enchanted Diamond (1894 Golden Hours as "The Enchanted Diamond"; 1903 chap) is a Lost-Race tale featuring a passage Underground between Alaska and Asia and a magical monarch. In the Depths of the Dark Continent; Or, the Vengeance of Van Vincent (28 May-30 July 1892 Golden Hours as "Van Vincent's Vow; Or, Chased to the Heart of the Dark Continent"; 1905 chap) describes a vicious She-like femme fatale (see H Rider Haggard), who rules a Hollow Earth kingdom far beneath a sinking Island which features sex-exploiting Amazons and a socialist Utopia founded by Egyptians who possess superscience. In The Electric Man in the Enchanted Valley; Or, the Wonderful Adventures of Two Boy Inventors (1899 Golden Hours as "The Wonderful Electric Man"; 1905 chap), to prevent Overpopulation couples are put to death after the birth of their first child; if they have no children, they are put to death anyway. It is likely there are more titles not yet properly identified. "The Enchanted Emerald; Or, the Mysteries of an Unknown Land" (1-22 February 1902 Happy Days) as by P T Raymond describes an emerald with seemingly magical powers, plus lost civilizations and another She-like queen in Africa. Shea's work was widely reprinted, often pseudonymously as "By the Author of 'The Wreck of the Glaucus'". Shea should not be confused with the gangster Cornelius Shea (1872-1929). [EFB/JC]
Cornelius Shea
born New York: 10 May 1863
died Tottenville, New York: 4 May 1920
works (selected)
- The Air Voyagers; Or, a Trip to the Moon in a Balloon: A Tale of Wonderful Adventure (Staten Island, New York: C Shea, 1880) [self-published?: pb/]
- The Sea Wanderer; Or, Cruise of the Submarine Boat (New York: Street and Smith, 1903) [Brave and Bold #8: pb/uncredited]
- The Diamond Legacy; Or, the Queen of an Unknown Race (New York: Street and Smith, 1903) [first appeared 1894 Golden Hours as "An Unknown Race; Or, the Strange Adventures of Frank Lowe and Same Singleby": Brave and Bold #14: pb/uncredited]
- The Electric Traveler; Or, Underground to the Pole (New York: Street and Smith, 1903) [first appeared 15 October-17 December 1892 Golden Hours as "The Electric Traveler; Or, to the North Pole and the Center of the Earth": Brave and Bold #17: pb/uncredited]
- A Girl Crusoe; Or, the Wonders of the Isle of Gnomes (New York: Street and Smith, 1903) [first appeared 10 March-19 May 1894 Golden Hours as "The Wreck of the Nameless Schooner; Or, The Crusoe Crew of the 'Spirit Wave'": Brave and Bold #38: pb/uncredited]
- Into Unknown Lands; Or, the Secret of the Enchanted Diamond (New York: Street and Smith, 1903) [first appeared 3 March-5 May 1894 Golden Hours as "The Enchanted Diamond; Or, from Alaska to Asia on Horseback": Brave and Bold #51: pb/uncredited]
- Beyond the Frozen Seas; Or, the Land of the Pygmies (New York: Street and Smith, 1904) [first appeared 11 July-12 September 1896 Golden Hours as "Beyond the Ice": Brave and Bold #67: pb/uncredited]
- Mystic Island; Or, the Tale of a Hidden Treasure (New York: Street and Smith, 1904) [first appeared 30 April-2 July 1898 Golden Hours as "The Hidden Island; Or, the Wreck of the Schooner Kate": Brave and Bold #98: pb/uncredited]
- In the Depths of the Dark Continent; Or, the Vengeance of Van Vincent (New York: Street and Smith, 1905) [first appeared 28 May-30 July 1892 Golden Hours as "Van Vincent's Vow; Or, Chased to the Heart of the Dark Continent": Brave and Bold #109: pb/uncredited]
- The Electric Man in the Enchanted Valley; Or, the Wonderful Adventures of Two Boy Inventors (New York: Street and Smith, 1905) [first appeared 8 April-10 June 1899 Golden Hours: Brave and Bold #120: pb/uncredited]
- Captain Cyclone, Bandit; Or, Pursued by an Electric Man (New York: Street and Smith, 1905) [Brave and Bold #121: pb/uncredited]
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