First Editions of the first twelve Spenser Novels, all but one Signed or Inscribed by the Author (The Godwulf Manuscript, God Save the Child, Mortal Stakes,Promised Land, The Judas Goat, Looking for Rachel Wallace, Early Autumn, A Savage Place, Ceremony, The Widening Gyre, Valediction, A Catskill Eagle)

PARKER, Robert B.

Published by Houghton Mifflin Company, Delacorte Press, Boston, New York, 1982

About this Item

First editions. Mostly fine in fine dust jackets (see below for details). The first twelve of the approximately forty Spenser novels, one of the premiere detective series of the last quarter of the 20th Century. The series was extremely influential in the detective fiction world, incorporating an idealistic and indefatigable detective hero with an unbreakable personal code descending in a direct line from the hardboiled protagonists of Dashiell Hammett, Raymond Chander, and Ross Macdonald. After the first dozen Spenser novels the series, although entertaining and engaging, became increasingly formulaic. However, reading the first dozen novels in real time was a revelation. Spenser's tense interactions with his sometimes rival and sometimes friend Hawk practically crackled off the page. Condition details as follows: 1. *The Godwulf Manuscript* 1974. Fine in fine price-clipped dust jacket. Inscribed to "a collector of the rare avis Spenser." 2. *God Save the Child* 1974. Fine in just about fine dust jacket with nominal lightening at the spine. The only unsigned copy in the lot, and possibly the scarcest title in the series. 3. *Mortal Stakes* 1975. Fine in just about fine dust jacket with a little rubbing and a tiny tear. Signed. 4. *Promised Land* 1976. Fine in fine dust jacket. Signed. 5. *The Judas Goat* 1978. Fine in fine price-clipped dust jacket. Signed. 6. *Looking for Rachel Wallace* 1980. Fine in fine dust jacket but for two creases on front flap. Signed. 7. *Early Autumn* 1981. Fine in fine dust jacket. Briefly Inscribed. 8. *A Savage Place* 1981. Remainder spray on bottom edge else fine in fine dust jacket. Inscribed ".a savage place is hidden without a trace." 9. *Ceremony* 1982. Fine in fine dust jacket. Signed. 10. *The Widening Gyre* 1983. Remainder spray on bottom edge else fine in fine dust jacket. Signed. 11. *Valediction* 1984. Fine in fine dust jacket. Briefly Inscribed. 12. *A Catskill Eagle* 1985. Fine in fine dust jacket. Briefly Inscribed to "a youthful private eye.". Seller Inventory # 437764

Bibliographic Details

Title: First Editions of the first twelve Spenser ...

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company, Delacorte Press, Boston, New York

Publication Date: 1982

Binding: Hardcover

Condition: Fine

Dust Jacket Condition: Fine

Signed: Signed by Author(s)

Edition: 1st Edition