Search Results: Early Mysteries from Quercus Rare Books

London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1907. This is Very Good copy of a "New Edition" from the first year Smith, Elder took publicationfrom George Newnes. Issued in a tall format binding of red cloth with gilt titling on the spine and front cover. A rare First Edition Thus, hardly seen. Clean text; 341 pages, with a two-page publisher's advert in the rear. Profusely illustrated by Sidney Paget; frontis and eighteen others within. Very mild rubbing to margins, with the spine only slightly faded (gilt remains perfectly bright). Two insignificant spots on the rear. A solid and attractive copy; in an archival plastic protector.. First Thus. Hard Cover. Very Good/No Jacket. Illus. by Sidney Paget. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall.

Leipzig: Bernhard Tauchnitz, 1893. This Holmes adventure made his first appearance in 1892; this is a Near Fine copy of the Copyright Edition from a year later and is the First Continental Edition [Grren & Gibson, p. 54]. Extremely. Two volumes bound together. Marbled paper-covered boards with a dark blue (almost black) cloth spine titled in gilt. Clean text, absolutely pristine. Page ends are speckled. Volume One (# 2896 of the "Collection of British Authors") has 272 pages. Volume Two [#2897] has 280 pages. Rubbed at the margins; else a Fine copy. An exceptional book for the Holmes completist.. First Thus. Hard Cover. Near Fine/No Jacket. 16mo - over 5¾" - 6¾" tall.

Nerw York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1905. First published in 1899, the first title in his series featuring Raffles [Hubin, 212] This is a Very Good (Plus) copy of a Later Printing from six years later. Bright red ribbed cloth binding with titling in white on the front cover. Frontis portrait; clean text; 290 pages, with a five-page catalong of other Hornung works in the rear. Exceptionally fresh. The only real defect is a faded spine which makes the titling quite faint. Lacking a dustjacket; in an archival plastic protector.. Later Printing. Hard Cover. Very Good (Plus)/No Jacket. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall.

New York: Moffat, Yard & Company, 1918. The first volume in a series by Wyndham Martyn (pseudonym for William Henry Martin Hosken, 1874-1963) featuring a protaganist who can solve those crimes the police cannot (surprise!). This is a Near Fine copy of the First Edition. A scarce title in the First. Dark blue cloth binding with titling and an illustration in orange on the front cover. Clean text; 316 pages. Corners straight but with a very tiny rub; two small dings to the top of the front cover; some spotting to the fore-edge. Lacking a dustjacket; in an archival plastic protector.. First Edition. Decorative Cloth. Near Fine/No Jacket. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall.

Chicago: M.A. Donohue & Co., 1910. Maurice Leblanc's "gentleman thief/detective" eventually appeared in almost two dozen books. This title first published in Paris in 1908, 1909 in the UK. This is a Very Good copy of the First American Edition, intended as a spoof of Doyle's famed detective. A rare title. Translation from the original French by George Morehead. [Hubin, p. 249, indicates it was published under several different names by various publishers.] A scarce title. Variant green cloth binding, with titling on the spine and front cover in black; illustration in black. Clean text; 350 pages, the cheap paper being heavily toned. Previous-owner stamp to the FFEP. Mildly rubbed at the margins. No dustjacket; in an archival plastic protector. . First American Edition.. Cloth. Very Good/No Jacket. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall.

Chicago: M.A. Donohue & Co., 1910. Maurice Leblanc's "gentleman thief/detective" eventually appeared in almost two dozen books. This title first published in Paris in 1908, 1909 in the UK. This is a Very Good copy of the First American Edition, intended as a spoof of Doyle's famed detective. A rare title. Translation from the original French by George Morehead. [Hubin, p. 249, indicates it was published under several different names by various publishers.] A scarce title. Variant green/gray decorative cloth binding, with titling on the spine and front cover in black; illustration in black and orange. Clean text; 350 pages. Rubbing to head and foot of the spine; lower corner of the front cover has a crease; some spotting that does not significantly detract from the presentation. No dustjacket; in an archival plastic protector. . First American Edition.. Decorative Cloth. Very Good/No Jacket. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall.

Philadelphia: The Penn Publishing Company, 1912. American novelist John Thomas McIntyre (1871-1951) wrote ten mystery/crime titles; this is the third title in his Ashton-Kirk series. Hubin, 271. This is a Very Good (Minus) copy of the First Edition. Red cloth binding, titled in white on the spine and front cover. Tipped onto the front cover is a colour illustration of the dapper investigator (top hat, cane) reading a note.. Clean text; 332 pages. Frontis illustration and three others within by Ralph L. Boyer. Small bookseller stamp on the front paste-down. A solid-enough copy but not pristine: mild bumps, a moderate amount of soiling, spine faded (lettering still readable), page ends a bit dusty. Presents better than its description indicates. In an archival plastic protector.. First Edition. Pictorial Cover. Very Good (Minus)/No Jacket. Illus. by Ralph L. Boyer. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall.

New York: The Century Co., 1900. Silas Weir Mitchell (1829-1914) combined a career in medicine, as one of the most prominent physicians of the day, with literary pursuits. This collection presents two of his earliest efforts, both first published in "The Atlantic" [1866 and 1867]. This is a Very Good copy of the First Edition [Hubin, p. 295]. Green cloth binding with titling in gilt on the spine and front cover. Clean text; 149 pages, top-edge is gilt. Frontis illustration and seven others within by A.J. Keller. Contemporary (1902) gift inscription on the FFEP.Very little wear; some very light touches of rub; Some faint spotting to the covers.. First Edition. Hard Cover. Very Good/No Jacket. Illus. by A.J. Keller. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall.

Indianapolis: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, 1911. Adams (1871-1958) was a muckraking journalist as well as a novelist; he also wrote more "risque" works under the pseudonym "Warner Fabian." This is a Very Good (Plus) copy of the First Edition, a Queen's Quorum title (Hubin, p.3). Olive decorative cloth binding, titled and stamped with red and white; white titling on the spine. Clean text; 345 pages. Contemporary (1913) gift inscription on the FFEP. Mildly bumped; some stains/abrasion on the rear cover. No dustjacket; in an archival plastic protector.. First Edition. Decorative Cloth. Very Good (Plus)/No Jacket. Illus. by M. Leone Bracker. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall.

New York Ans Boston: H.M. Caldwell Co., Publishers, 1900. Zangwill penned what is usually acknowledged as the first "locked room" myser, first published in 1892. [Hubin, 449] Here is an interesting and uncommon reprint edition. There is no publication date, but most likely from 1900 or searlier. Decorative binding: green cloth with landscape and flowers stamped in green, black, and pale blue; sky and deorations in gilt. Gilt titling on the spine, with the decorations continued. Clean text; 193 pages. Rubbed at the margins, with the spine slightly darkened.. Reprint Edition. Decorative Cloth. Very Good/No Jacket. 16mo - over 5¾" - 6¾" tall.

Chicago and New York: Rand, McNally & Company, 1895. Israel Zangwill (1864-1926) is best known for his Zionist, Feminist, and Socialist works, but he also wrote what is often acknowledged as the first "locked room mystery." Originally serialized in "The Star," and published by Henry in 1892. [Hubin, 449] A Haycraft-Queen Cornerstone. This is a Very Good copy of the First American Edition. Variant red cloth binding; with gilt titling, ruling, and decoration on the front cover; titling in gilt on the spine. Clean text; viii, Note, 243 pages. Top-edge is gilt, others rough-cut. Some smudging of pages. Corners mildly bumped; spine has faded but the gilt remains, a bit dulled. . First American Edition.. Hard Cover. Very Good/No Jacket. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall.

Chicago and New York: Rand, McNally & Company, Publishers, 1895. Israel Zangwill (1864-1926) is best known for his Zionist, Feminist, and Socialist works, but he also wrote what is often acknowledged as the first "locked room mystery." Originally serialized in "The Star," and published by Henry in 1892. [Hubin, 449] A Haycraft-Queen Cornerstone. This is a Very Good (Plus) copy of an early American printing [designated as "Alpha Library'] with the 1895 copyright date. An uncommon edition. This copy in green ribbed cloth binding, decoratively stamped, with titling on the spine and front cover ingilt. Clean text; viii; Note; 243 pages. Top edge is gilt; ribbon marker is present. Mild rub to the margins of the spine and a small ding to the top front edge of the cover. In an archival plastic protector. Later Printing. Hard Cover. Very Good (Plus)/No Jacket. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall.

London: Hodder and Stoughton Limited, 1916. MacHarg (1872-1951) and Balmer (1883-1959) were brothers-in-law and prolific writers on their own, mostly noted for science fiction. This, however, is a mystery and an uncommon title. A Very Good (Plus) copy of the First Edition. Red cloth binding with titling in black on spine and front cover. The front cover features a pair of spectacles and the publisher's initials. Clean text; 317 pages. Spine is slightly faded but the lettering is not affected. The book is unfoxed but the page-ends have spotting. No dustwrapper; in an archival plastic protector.. First Edition. Hard Cover. Very Good (Plus)/No Jacket. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall.

New York: Doubleday, Page & Company, 1908. A prolific author known for supernatural melodramas, Edward Frederick Benson (1867-1940) also penned mysteries; his "Mapp & Lucia" series has been revived for television. This is a Very Good (Plus) copy of the First American Edition. Hubin, p. 30. Brick red cloth binding, titled in white on the spine and front cover. Decorated on the front in black and light blue. Clean text; 255 pages. Very mild rubbing and bumping; a few spots on the edges. The binding is very bright, presenting nicely.. First American Edition.. Decorative Cloth. Very Good (Plus)/No Jacket. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall.

New York: G.W. Dillingham Company, 1908. Originally published in 1883. This is Number 14 in the "Alan Pinkerton's Detective Stories" series. There is no publication date, but probably 1908, judging by place in the series (also missing is the second copyright, by Joan Chalmers, that is normally seen). A Very Good copy. Light green cloth binding with reddish-brown stamped lettering and design featuring the "We Never Sleep" logo. Clean text; 344 pages. Light general wear; owner signature on FFEP. No dustjacket. Size: 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. Reprint.. Hard Cover. Very Good/No Jacket.

New York: Hodder & Stoughton/George H. Doran Company, 1911. Pemberton (1863-1950) was a popular English author specializing in adventure and mystery. This is a Very Good copy of the First American Edition, sequel to his hit novel "The Iron Pirate' (1897). In Hubin, p. 322. A scarce title.Turquoise and blue decorative cloth binding, with titling in light yellow on the spine and front cover. Clean text; 327 pages. Frontis illustration of a "Map of Ice Havenn" in black and white that reproduces the colour version of the front cover. Light rubbing at the margins and the foot of the spine. A solid copy; ina archival plastic cover.. First American Edition.. Decorative Cloth. Very Good/No Jacket. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall.

Indianapolis: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, 1911. McGrath (1871-1932) was a prolific author who had eighteen of his novels made into movies; this one, a mystery/adventure/ caper story, was filmed in 1915. Here is is a Near Fine copy of the First Edition. Dark olive green cloth binding; ruled, with titling in gilt on the front cover and spine. Clean text; 390 pages. Color illustrations by Andre Castaigne. Tiny bit of rub to the tips and spine; else a Fine copy. Lacking the dustjacket; in an archival plastic protector.. First Edition. Hard Cover. Near Fine/No Jacket. Illus. by Andre Castaigne. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall.

Indianapolis: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, 1913. This is a Fine copy of the First Edition. [Hubin, 347]. Rinehart (1876-1958) was prolific, but this is a very scarce to rare title. Maroon cloth binding with titling in gilt on th spine and front cover. The front is blindstamped with a scene of a figure in a boat; a higher production value than usually seen. Clean text; 228 pages. Frontis illustration and three others within by M. Leone Bracker. The scarce dustjacket is Very Good; unclipped, due tot the price ["$ 1.00 Net"] being on the spie of the jacket rather than on a flap. Moderately darkened with a few small chips at the margins. In an archival plastic protector. . First Edition. Hard Cover. Fine/Very Good. Illus. by M. Leone Bracker. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall.

New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1913. Gaboriau (1832-1873} was a pioneer of the detective novel. His detective was quite popular until Sherlock Holmes arrived on the scene. Originally titled as "The Slaves of Paris," it was first published under this title in 1891. Hubin, p. 160. This is a Very Good copy of a reprint edition. Red ribbed cloth binding, titled in gilt on the spine; gilt decoration featuring a mask and two daggers on the front cover. Clean text; 365 pages. Top-edge is gilt. Frontis illustration by John Sloan. Bumped corners, spine faded with the gilt dulled (still readable); some faint stains on the covers. A solid copy and still a fun read today.. Reprint Edition. Hard Cover. Very Good/No Jacket. Illus. by John Sloan. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall.

New York: Grosset & Dunlap, 1904. This novel was first published by Frederick Stokes [Hubin, p. 24]. This is a Near Fine copy of the reprint edition, issued in the same year [stated "This edition published in June, 1904"]. All printings of this title are scarce. Bright orange cloth binding, colorfully decirated on the front cover in blue and red; titling on the spine in blue. Clean text; 306 pages, with an eight-page G&D catalog in the rear. The textblock is perfectly bright and fresh. There are two tiny bumps to the front edge; else a Fine copy. No dustjacket; in an archival plastic protector.. Reprint Edition. Decorative Cloth. Near Fine/No Jacket. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall.