About this Item
First impression of the true first UK edition. This copy is from a circulating library but is very clean, and retains the original dustwrapper. ***A very good copy in orange-red cloth-covered boards with black titles to the spine. The boards show some marks and discoloration commensurate with age and handling over the last 80 years, and are slightly rubbed and darkened at the edges, with some fading at the fore-edge of the back board. However, there are no tears to the fragile cloth, and no serious bumps or creases - just light creasing to the top and tail of the spine. Page block edges lightly foxed. No reading lean to the binding. Spine tight. Internally also very good, with a 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 light pencil "627 C" to the front pastedown (all 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 7s. 6d. net on the spine. There is some loss to the top and tail of the spine, but not affecting the lettering. Edges of dustwrapper darkened, creased, nicked and rubbed. The spine is darkened with a small tear and crease in the centre. ***183 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) ***'All keen thriller readers will have met "Gramps" - that indefatigable old man, travelling around in his trailer and an aroma of hot and alcoholic drinks. In this story he persists in sticking in his nose where not wanted, and doing everything that a District Attorney's relative should not do. But, in the end, as usual, he puts his finger on the very centre of the crime and by his knowledge of when and why an oil lamp smokes, brings home the guilt to the right quarter.' (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 wartime dustwrapper (which has the wartime period "The Voice of Britain" advert on the rear inner flap. ***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.
Seller Inventory # 2594x
Contact seller
Report this item
