![Alternative view of [Le Fanu (Sheridan) and others]. London Society The Christmas Number for 1872](https://lycanthiabooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/86984_2-300x400.jpg)
London, Richard Bentley, 1872.
8vo. Original pictorial colour-printed wrappers.
Contains: Sir C. L. Young 'A Debt of Honour. A Ghost Story'; T. H. S. Escott 'Artful Creature'; Captain Maine Read 'The Prairie Apparition'; Shirley Brooks 'Charming a Dragon'; Le Fanu'Dickon the Devil; F. C. Burnard 'No Rose Without a Thorn: A Story of a Bayswater Bouquet'; W. W. Fenn 'A Waif from the Sea'; A. E. T. Watson, Huntingcrop Hall'. 'Dickon the Devil' is a supernatural short story about a ghost living at an old house with an idiot living on the land.
An amazing survival.
Sexuality & Erotica
London, Longmans, 1969.First edition, first impression. 8vo. Original boards. Dust-jacket.The rare supressed edition of the story of Antonio Valli, a brilliant young Italian philosopher who arrives in England for a year's research. He lodges with Dick Thompson, a successful middle-aged novelist. Antonio's charm and impulsive nature captivate Dick, leading to complex emotional entanglements.
Modern Literature
London, Michael Joseph, 1957.
First UK edition. 8vo. Original reddish brown cloth. Dust-jacket, correctly priced 15s.
The first UK edition of American author Baldwin's second novel, following his famous semi-autobiographical work Go Tell it on the Mountain. The novel is viewed as an important work on sexuality, focusing on an American man in 1950s Paris navigating a tense love triangle and grappling with his sexual identity, with things made yet more complicated by a murder and an execution. The work was ranked number 2 on a list of the best 100 gay and lesbian novels compiled by The Publishing Triangle in 1999.
Detective Fiction
London, Hodder & Stoughton, 1936.
First edition, first impression. 8vo. Original blue cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 7/6.
Maysie Greig was a prolific Australian author known for her romance novels.
London, Chatto & Windus, 1895.
First edition. Publisher's advertisements dated Nov. 1895. 8vo. Original blind-tooled cloth lettered in gilt.
Dick Donovan was a pseudonym used by Joyce Emmerson Preston Muddock (1842–1934), who wrote numerous detective stories and thrillers.
Detective Fiction
London, Harrap, 1932.
First edition, first impression. 8vo. Original cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 7/6.
This novel presents documents related to the murder of Roger Maidment in Ullathwaite, Yorkshire, in October 1899. The narrative unfolds through various perspectives, including the police, the defense, the jury, and the acquitted defendant.
Detective Fiction
London, Sampson Low, [1934].
First edition, first impression. 8vo. Original black cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 7/6.
John Laurence was the pseudonym of John Laurence Pritchard (1885–1968), a British mathematician and writer specialising in works on aviation. He also wrote detective novels and works about criminology, which often leveraged his dual expertise in mathematics and aviation.
Illustrated Books
London, MacGibbon & Kee, 1951.
First edition, first impression. 8vo. Original terracotta cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 15s.
Part of Warner's broader engagement with classical themes, reflecting his background as a classicist.
Modern Literature
London, The Bodley Head, 1925.
First edition, first impression. 8vo. Original sage cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 7/6.
A Western adventure novel following the exploits of Bullwhack Joe, capturing the spirit of the American frontier.
War, Invasion & Spy
London, Stanley Paul, 1909.
First English edition. 8vo. Original cloth.
Invasion literature. "In Germany itself an air attack on the American fleet is described by Ferdinand Heinrich Grautoff (1871–1935), writing under the name Parabellum, in his novel Banzai!." (Wikipedia).
Detective Fiction
New York, Doran, 1924.
First US edition, first printing. 8vo. Original grey pictorial cloth. Dust-jacket.
Austin J. Small (1894–1929) was a prolific British author who also wrote under the pseudonym "Seamark".
Modern Literature
London, Cecil Palmer, 1931.
First edition, first impression. 8vo. Original green cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 7/6.
"Entertaining and gripping to a degree the story contains most vivid and faithful descriptions of scenes and trials in the Criminal and Divorce Courts of Law in England." (jacket blurb)
American Literature
and other stories
London, Hodder & Stoughton, [1927].
First UK edition, first impression. 8vo. Original blue cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 7/6.
A collection of short stories that delve into themes of kindness, resilience, and the human spirit. The titular story, "Little Pardner," exemplifies Porter's characteristic warmth and moral insight.
Detective Fiction
London, Thornton Butterworth, 1924.
First edition, second impression. 8vo. Original red cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 7/6.
Set in Southeast Asia, The Black Parrot is a romantic adventure novel that follows an American protagonist through the exotic landscapes of the Golden Chersonese (modern-day Malaysia). The narrative weaves themes of colonial intrigue and the allure of the Orient...
Historical Fiction
Preedy (George R., pseud. Marjorie Bowen) The Fair Young Widow
London, Herbert Jenkins, [1939].
First edition, first impression. 8vo. Original orange cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 7/6.
"George Preedy" was one of several pseudonyms used by Marjorie Bowen, whose output spanned historical fiction, supernatural tales, and thrillers. Under this name, she often explored darker, more mature themes than in her historical romances.
Detective Fiction
London, Eyre & Spottiswoode, 1935.
First edition, first impression. 8vo. Original cloth. Dust-jacket.
Intricate plotting and character development, reflecting the conventions of the Golden Age of detective fiction. Scarce in the jacket.
Detective Fiction
New York, Doubleday, Doran, 1928.
First US edition, first printing. 8vo. Original cloth. Dust-jacket.
Set in Gairlie Castle, the story unfolds as everything red mysteriously disappears, including the famed Gairlie rubies. An attractive edition.
Modern Literature
London, Hodder & Stoughton, 1936.
First edition, first impression. Signed presentation copy from the author. 8vo. Original blue cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 7/6.
Nautical adventure with a South East Asian vibe. Uncommon in the jacket, let alone inscribed.
Detective Fiction
Halliday (Dorothy, pseud. Dorothy Dunnett) Dolly and the Starry Bird
London, Cassell, 1973.
First edition, first impression. 8vo. Original red boards. Dust-jacket, priced £2.25.
Part of the Johnson Johnson series, the novel follows the adventures of a British intelligence officer and portrait painter aboard his yacht, the Dolly.
Detective Fiction
London, Thornton Butterworth, 1937.
First UK edition, first impression. 8vo. Original cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 2/6.
Set in the village of Taos, New Mexico, the story revolves around the murder of Edward Ponsonby, a local character found decapitated. A local boy, now Deputy Sheriff, takes on the investigation, navigating through a series of challenges to solve the crime.
Detective Fiction
London, John Murray, 1932.
First edition, first impression. 8vo. Original cloth. Dust-jacket, sticker of '28' to spine.
A vividly told tale of piracy at the beginning of the 18th century, focusing on the trial and execution of Captain Green, an English seafarer accused of piracy by the Scots.
Detective Fiction
Donovan (Dick, pseud. J. E. Preston Muddock) In the Face of Night
London, John Long, 1908.
First edition, first impression. 8vo. Original pictorial cloth.
James Edward Preston Muddock (1843–1934) was a British journalist and author. His "Dick Donovan" character, often billed as the "Glasgow Detective," featured in dozens of novels and stories.
Detective Fiction
London, Nelson, 1932.
First edition, first impression. 8vo. Original red cloth gilt. Dust-jacket, priced 7/6.
An uncommon work in the jacket.
Detective Fiction
London, Hodder & Stoughton, 1938.
First edition, first impression. 8vo. Original cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 7/6.
Mabel L. Tyrrell authored at least 18 novels, transitioning from children's literature to adult fiction. Her works often explored themes of personal growth and societal expectations.
Detective Fiction
Toronto, Doubleday, Doran, 1931.
First Canadian edition, first printing. 8vo. Original cloth. Dust-jacket, price-clipped.
A murder-mystery with elements of mystery and social commentary, exploring the dark underbelly of the elite... Striking jacket design.
Detective Fiction
Verner (Gerald, pseud. John Robert Stuart Pringle) The Ghost Man
[New York], Macaulay, 1936.
First edition, first printing. 8vo. Dust-jacket.
A murder-mystery which weaves together elements of suspense and intrigue, with references to the "Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam" adding a poetic dimension to the tale. Pringle's extensive writing career solidified his reputation in the crime and thriller genres. His ability to craft suspenseful narratives earned him a wide readership during his lifetime.
Detective Fiction
London, Cassell, 1929.
'Popular Edition'. 8vo. Original cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 2/6.
Set in an eerie mansion known as the Red House in Barnes, London, the story revolves around Dr. Chan-Fu, a sinister Chinese mandarin who uses hypnotism to manipulate a young woman into revealing the location of hidden bonds. Originally a hit stage play.
Modern Literature
London, Thomas Nelson, 1928.
First edition, first impression. 8vo. Original blue cloth lettered in gilt. Dust-jacket, priced 7/6.
A nautical adventure featuring Captain Hawks, his mate Grummet, and their cook Cert'nly Wilfred, likely involving the discovery or pursuit of a mysterious island.
Detective Fiction
London, Thornton Butterworth, 1938.
First edition, first impression. 8vo. Original yellow cloth. Dust-jacket, price-clipped.
Grierson authored over 40 detective novels, often featuring series characters like Superintendent Andrew Ash and Inspector Sims.
Detective Fiction
The story of coxe and the box
London, John Murray, 1930.
First UK edition, first impression. 8vo. Original cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 7s6d.
This novel by 'Beau Geste' author Wren centres on Algernon Coxe, a neurotic young man under the influence of his domineering mother, Miranda.
Detective Fiction
London, Arthur Barker, 1938.
First edition, first impression. 8vo. Original blue cloth lettered in black. Dust-jacket, neatly price-clipped with war-time price-sticker 4/-.
Guy Mainwaring Morton (1896–1968), writing as Peter Traill, produced several novels, some of which fall into the detective fiction genre. His works are noted for their engaging narratives and have become collectible over time.
Detective Fiction
Graeme (Roderic, pseud. Roderic Jeffries) Blackshirt Stirs Things Up
London, John Long, 1969.
First edition, first impression. 8vo. Original black boards, with gilt stamped code to foot of lower board. Dust-jacket, priced 18s.
The novel follows Richard Verrell, known as "Blackshirt," a gentleman thief who uncovers a double-cross involving a scientist suspected of treason, leading to pursuits by both murderers and the police. Jeffries began his writing career by continuing the "Blackshirt" series created by his father, Graham Jeffries.
Modern Literature
London, Skeffington, [1936].
First edition, first impression. 8vo. Original green boards. Dust-jacket, priced 7/6.
Gordon Volk was a UK author who specialised in crime adventures. He also wrote under the pseudonym Raymond Knotts. His work The Isle of Men is noted for its lost race theme.