A selection of highlights from our most recent acquisitions. Contact us to discuss price or postage.
Detective Fiction
A Judge Peck Mystery Story
London, George Newnes, [1936]..
First UK edition. 8vo. Original green cloth. Dust-jacket, correctly priced at 2/6.
A stunning jacket on this first UK edition of Arkham House stalwart Derleth's second Judge Peck mystery, in which not one but three sons-in-law meet an unknown death. First published in the US in 1934. The splendid jacket artwork features a naked man on all fours, of course, holding a smoking gun.
Weird & Supernatural
Erckmann-Chatrian (nom-de-plume, Émile Erckmann & Alexandre Chatrian) Stories of the Rhine
London, Ward Lock & Co., c.1882-84.
Early English edition. 8vo. Publisher's adverts to rear. Original decorative cloth blocked in black & gilt.
This copy dates from sometime between 1882 and 1884 based on the title page. Ward, Lock & Co. did not open an office in New York at 10 Bond Street until June of 1882. In November of 1884 that office moved to 31 Bond Street. The first edition of Stories of the Rhine was published by Ward, Lock & Tyler in 1875, and in addition to stating "Ward, Lock& Tyler" on the title page, it would only have their earlier address of Warwick House, Salisbury Square. Ward, Lock & Tyler became Ward, Lock, & Co, in 1877.
Collection of short stories, set in the late 18th century and in the 19th century, most with a weird element including 'The Buried Treasure' where the treasure of Gontran the Miser is found by supernatural means. All Victorian editions of Erckmann-Chatrian titles are uncommon especially in original cloth.
Detective Fiction
London, Gollancz, 1936. First UK edition. 8vo. Original cloth. Dust-jacket, correctly priced at 7/6. An uncommon Asey Mayo tale and the first time we have encountered it in a jacket.