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First impression of the first UK edition. This copy is from a circulating library but is very clean, and retains the original dustwrapper. ***A very good copy in red cloth-covered boards with black titles to the spine. The boards show some marks and discoloration, but are generally very clean considering age and handling over the last 78 years. There are no tears to the fragile cloth, and no serious bumps or creases - just a light vertical crease along the spine. Page block edges quite heavily foxed. No reading lean to the binding. Spine tight. Internally also very good, with two contemporaneous violet ink oval lending library stamps "G. Pollard Newsagent, lending library 19 Union Road, Lincoln" on both front and rear pastedowns and a library classification number handwritten in ink "354D" to the front pastedown (partially hidden under the front flap of the dustwrapper). No other library stamps or marks, and the dustwrapper is not library-laminated. The pages are clean with no foxing. No creases or tears. ***In a very good colour illustrated dustwrapper, which is largely complete, retaining the publisher's original printed price of 8/6 net on the front flap. There is some loss to the top and tail of the spine, but not affecting the lettering, and some loss at the corner tips. Edges of dustwrapper darkened, creased, nicked and rubbed. The spine is darkened with some areas of staining. The back panel is remarkably clean and unmarked considering it is white. ***190 pages. 190mm x 130mm. ***'Erle Stanley Gardner (July 17, 1889 - March 11, 1970) was an American author and lawyer, best known for the Perry Mason series of legal detective stories. Gardner also wrote numerous other novels and shorter pieces as well as a series of nonfiction books, mostly narrations of his travels through Baja California and other regions in Mexico. The best-selling American author of the 20th century at the time of his death, Gardner also published under numerous pseudonyms, including A. A. Fair, Carl Franklin Ruth, Carleton Kendrake, Charles M. Green, Charles J. Kenny, Edward Leaming, Grant Holiday, Kyle Corning, Les Tillray, Robert Parr, Stephen Caldwell, and once as the Perry Mason character Della Street ("The Case of the Suspect Sweethearts"). Three stories were published anonymously: "A Fair Trial", "Part Music and Part Tears", and "You Can't Run Away from Yourself", also known as "The Jazz Baby"'. (Wiki) ***'Doug Selby receives a mysterious phone call. Then there is a bad motor accident - a drunken driver is killed. Perhaps there is no more in this than meets the eye, but why does the beautiful Carmen behave so strangely after identifying the body? And why did her boss, Billmeyer, the oil magnate, call her away from a party late at night? Was it business or ---? These are some of the questions Doug Selby asks himself, and above all he is puzzled by the mystery surrounding Carleton Grines, believed by his family to have been dead for years, especially since the car driven by the dead man was stolen from he house of Carleton's brother, Pervis Grines. ***Doug Selby, with his staunch supporter, Sheriff Brandon, sets out to clear the mystery - a tough job when the only clue is a black Scottie found in the car, the sole witness to the accident. As well as these two old friends, readers will also meet Sylvia Martin whose Clarion stories spotlight the case and Inez Stapleton who shocked the town by becoming its first woman lawyer.' (Quote taken from the back panel of the dustwrapper) ***A scarce first impression of the true first edition, especially hard to find in the original thin dustwrapper. ***For all our books, postage is charged at cost, allowing for packaging: any shipping rates indicated on ABE are an average only: we will reduce the P & P charge where appropriate - please contact us for postal rates for heavier books and sets etc.
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