About this Item
Publication: London, Hodder & Stoughton, 1946 Formatting: 8vo, publisher's original cloth, dust-jacket. Condition Report: Very Good. The publisher's original beige cloth binding remains firm and structurally sound, exhibiting only mild shelf-wear and slight bumping to the spine ends, while the red stamped lettering to the spine remains sharp and unoxidised. Internally, the binding is tight and square; the text block shows uniform, mild age-toning consistent with post-war paper stock, but remains clean and free from serious blemishes. The original unclipped dust wrapper (priced 5/- net) shows handling, presenting with edge-creasing, minor chipping to the extremities, and some rubbing across the front panel. Notably, the wrapper has neat, historical tape repairs to the verso at the head of the spine and flap folds to prevent further tearing. Catalogue Note: This is the "New Library Edition," printed in March 1946 by Hazell, Watson & Viney, Ltd. for Hodder & Stoughton. Originally published in 1927, this post-war reprint is notably scarce on the open market when accompanied by its original dust wrapper. The wrapper itself is a quintessential example of the iconic Hodder & Stoughton "Yellow Jacket" series, which remains highly sought after by collectors of Golden Age detective fiction. While later impressions of Freeman's work are relatively common as bare hardcovers, the survival of the fragile, illustrated paper jacket elevates this copy's collectability. When retired soap manufacturer and obsessive collector Mr. Hollis decides to stash his extraordinary hoard of precious stones and bullion in a specially designed strong room, he considers his wealth entirely secure. However, upon discovering he has been the victim of a baffling, seemingly impossible robbery, with the sealed room completely unbreached, the legendary medico-detective Dr. Thorndyke is summoned. Blending a locked-room jewel heist in London with a thrilling tale of a disguised fugitive fleeing along the African Gold Coast, Freeman weaves a complex and highly satisfying mystery that tests Thorndyke's unparalleled scientific acumen to its limits.
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