The Clocks

London: The Crime Club by Collins, 1963. First edition. Cloth. Very Good/Very Good. 7.5" by 5". None. A vanishingly scarce signed first edition of this evocative travel memoir by Agatha Christie. Signed and dedicated to her secretary and friend, Carlo Fisher. The first edition, first impression with no further impressions stated.In the original unclipped dust wrapper. With a dedication from Christie to the front free endpaper reading: 'Carlo with love from Agatha' From the library of Charlotte 'Carlo' Fisher with her bookplate to front paste down.Hired as a governess for her daughter Rosalind, Fisher would later work as Christie's secretary, transcribing a number of her novels, notably The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, considered the turning point in her literary career. The pair soon became close friends, with Fisher acting as one of very few true confidantes for the often reclusive and shy Agatha. The association of this work is not simply that of an employee of Christie, but of her closest and longest standing friend. An exceptional copy of this work with a personal association from the greatest detective writer of all time. An exceptional provenance having passed from the possession of Carlo Fisher to Rolling Stone Charlie Watts.This Christie novel consists of two interwoven plots: the mystery Poirot works on from his armchair while the police work on the spot, and a Cold War spy story told in the first person narrative.In this unusual work, Poirot never actually visits the crime scenes or interviews witnesses or suspects; instead, he proves his claim that he is capable of solving crimes by use of his intellect alone. In the original cloth binding in the original unclipped dust wrapper. Externally in excellent condition. Slight bumping to extremities. Dust wrapper is smart with the occasional closed tear, with tape reinforcements to the reverse. The odd mark to the wrap. Internally firmly bound. Pages bright and clean with just the odd spot. Very Good