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Black cloth over boards with title stamped in orange onto top board and spine, 8vo (7-5/16 x 4-15/16 inches [18.5 cm x 12.5 cm]), pp. [i-iv], v, [vi-viii], 1-279, all edges trimmed. Stated "First Edition" and code "I - F" [Sept. 1931], to copyright page and "1931" on title page, "A HARPER SEALED MYSTERY" device stamped in orange onto bottom of spine and top board, remnants of original blue onion skin "seal" to rear paste down/rfep and pg 233. Modest wear and rubbing to boards, one small bump damaging the cloth at center fore-edge of rear board, spine with both ends softened and fading to spine lettering, front hinge tender. Text toned with moderate soil throughout and light damp stain touching the fore-edges of first and last few leaves, p.153 with a large closed tear noted and rfep partially attached to rear paste-down by blue onion skin "seal" remnant near spine. Carr's third of forty-six detective novels, following IT WALKS BY NIGHT (1930) and THE LOST GALLOWS (1931). It was not published in Britain until 1973 with it's issue by Tom Stacey, and later by Severn House who put in their own cancel title-page dated 1976 and provided a new dust jacket. CASTLE SKULL was the twelfth and final "Harpers Sealed Mystery" released by Harpers in 1931, just in time for the Fall reading season. Created by a master of the "Locked Room" mystery subgenre, Carr matches "the most dangerous man in Europe" - French detective Bencolin - against an old enemy; watch out for that silver-headed walking stick! Ref. Hubin, p.135; Zempel 4th ed. p. 257; Berch, 2010; Cooper, 65-74; Steinbrunner/Penzler, p.23, 62; Winn, p.262; Penzler/Steinbrunner/Lachman, p. 9, 233. Seller Inventory # 547
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