Modern Literature
The Turning of the Screw; Covering End
London, Heinemann, 1898.
First edition. Title printed in red & black. 8vo. Original blue cloth, lettered in gilt with Beardsley-esque blind-stamped design to upper cover.
The first publication in book form of James's iconic ghost story 'The Turn of the Screw' as well as his 'Covering End'. 'The Turn of the Screw' was first published in Collier's Weekly and revised slightly for book publication, and 'Covering End' was first published in this edition.
Modern Literature
A Novel
London, Bentley, 1872.
First edition. 3 vols, 8vo. Original brown cloth ruled & lettered in black.
An uncommonly good first edition of this three-decker by the author of The Woman in White and The Moonstone. Classic Collins, "blind love", silver-compound poisoning and a woman in peril.
Detective Fiction
...a startling and realistic story of Melbourne social life
London, The Hansom Cab Publishing Company, n.d. [c.1888].
First UK edition, early issue, stating 'two hundredth thousand'. 8vo. Advertisements. Original pictorial wrappers.
The famous Melbourne-based crime thriller by prolific author Fergus Hume, distinctly uncommon in this condition. A publishing phenomenon, sadly not something the author himself managed to cash in on as he had sold the publishing rights for a desultory amount to businessman Frederick Trischler, who went on to found the Hansom Cab Publishing Company in London.
Sci-Fi & Fantasy
London, Rapp & Whiting, 1969.
First UK edition. 8vo. Original green boards. Dust-jacket.
Simak's flight of Wisconsin whimsy, but a great read nevertheless, in which time travel has allowed goblins, dinosaurs, even Shakespeare to coexist...
War, Invasion & Spy
London, Collins, 1940.
First UK edition. 8vo. 3pp. advertisements. Original mauve cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 8/3.
Attractive jacket artwork for this surprisingly uncommon and highly collectable British edition, combining international intrigue of German & American spies in Central America, with exotic backgrounds, humour and romance.
Sci-Fi & Fantasy
London, Faber & Faber, 1959.
First UK edition. 8vo. Original blue boards. Dust-jacket, priced 15s.
The first UK edition of US author Blish's Hugo Prize winning Sci-Fi classic, notable for being one of the first in this genre to try and involve religious theory.