Devil Pay by Ellery Queen, Signed (2 results)

Hardcover. Condition: Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. 1st Edition. SIGNED & INSCRIBED FIRST EDITION. Water-stained boards on a good square copy happily without any of the foxing usually seen on this elusive title. Better than very good dust jacket is clipped (though not the price), shows only moderate creasing and just three relatively minor chips: two to spine extremities and one to lower rear panel. Book is from library of famed multi-millionaire bibliophile Edward T. (Ned) Guymon, intimate of Dannay & Lee, Hammett, Chandler, Christie, etc., (and the many whom Fred Dannay credits as being his guide & predecessor). On the front pastedown is Guymon's own weirdly fascinating bookplate. Book is a PRESENTATION COPY from Fred Dannay to Guymon's secretary Gertrude Larson, and bears this inscription penned in the bold cursive hand of Dannay: "To / Ned Guymon's / secretary -- / Gertrude Larson -- / with the best wishes / of the author / "Ellery Queen"." A highly fascinating association copy. This is also an advance copy which has the slip laid in. Signed by Author(s).

First edition. Light off-setting to the front and rear endpapers else a fine, bright copy in a bright dust jacket with light wear to the spine ends and corners, and small nicks and chips to the extremities. Accompanying this copy is an inked handwritten letter on Ellery Queen stationery and dated March 3, 1958. Frederic Dannay responds to questions posed by the recipient of this letter. Mr. Dannay says that he does not know which author first used hypnosis as an integral part of a story, and he cannot be of help with the book Cops And Robbers by O. Henry as "we have no copies left." He further advises that all matters involving money orders and subscription requests will be forwarded to the New York Office. Signed "Sincerely, Frederic Dannay." The letter contains three paragraphs and is about 85 words. The letter has two horizontal faint, fold creases and the original stamped mailing envelope is also included.