20th Century Classics

Killer in the Rain – Raymond Chandler – First UK Edition 1964

First edition of this collection of short stories by Chandler published by Hamish Hamilton, London in 1964. Octavo, 332 pages, very good dust jacket designed by “Andrew” page edges foxed but still a great copy of a sought after Chandler collection … rare in such a good dust jacket.

Published posthumously, Chandler died in 1959. Most had appeared early on in the magazine “Mask” in the USA … some elements of the stories were cannibalised into his later novels. See if you can spot them.

The eight stories of reasonably equal length include the title “Killer in the Rain’ and Bay City Blues; No Crime in the Mountains; Mandarin’s Jade; The Lady in the Lake; Try the Girl; The Curtain and The Man Who Liked Dogs … well who doesn’t.

Introduced by Chandler expert of the day, Prof Philip Durham of the University of California where numerous Chandler ephemera are housed.

Chandler – eight thrilling stories – first edition.

$65.00

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A Gun for Sale – Graham Green – Special Edition 1944

One for the collector or Greene lover. Scarce soft cover published by the Melbourne Truth in 1944. 128 pages. Apart from the insect damage along the leading edge of the cover, which goes to the title page, the book is in very good condition given its generally fragile nature.

Greene enjoys melodrama and there is plenty in “A Gun for Sale” – a strange one that makes it all that more enjoyable.

Greene with Guns and a special scarce issue Melbourne Truth

$35.00

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Doctor Fischer of Geneva or The Bomb Party – Graham Greene – First Edition 1980

A first edition published by The Bodley Head 1980. Octavo, 140 pages, complete dust jacket, a very good copy.

Seriously hilarious – a shorter tale [Greene would call it an “Entertainment”] about greedy people – Dr Fischer was a naughty man – Greene sees it all!

The unusual double “choice” title makes sense once read.

Greene- Bomb’s Going off in Geneva

$30.00

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SO (Ten Romances) – John Crombie and The Kickshaws Private Press – Limited to 175 copies – Unusual Permutational Book.

A first and only limited edition by the talented writer and book designer John Crombie. Published by his Kickshaws Press in Paris in 1988.

This is a unique example of a what can be referred to as a permutational book. The book is bound on the left hand edge but the text runs like a maze left to right continuously around the book until each of ten romances is complete. At the end of each section the reader is presented with options on new lines as to how to proceed and must make a choice. There are also vertical groups of connecting words that rhyme or free-associate with the ones above and below. The text is worthy, funny and at times a little naughty. Once you have completed the ”maze” the stories can be read in a different order [we challenge you to remember which way you went the first time] giving them a whole new meaning.

Unpaginated, 20cm by 25cm, the book narrative is printed and bound separately from the fuchsia three-fold heavy paper wrap around, the latter containing an introduction that describes in more words than ours the recommended method of reading

A really super item … challenging, enlightening and entertaining. Would make a special gift.

Crombie’s “SO” a most unusual book from the Paris Kickshaws Press.

$120.00

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The Duke of York’s Steps – Henry Wade – First Edition 1929.

A super scarce first edition of Henry Wade’s early novel. From the “Golden Age of Detective Fiction”.

Published by Constable, London in 1929. Octavo, 317 pages. Green cloth covered boards with embossed titles in black and spine in rather full form. Unclipped dust jacket with a few chips around the spine ends … generally all in very good condition. Jacket design by Morton Sale.

This was the first in a series of seven novels featuring Chief Inspector Poole. The steps referred to connect the Duke of York Column with the Mall in London. A German Jewish banker seeks revenge for his mistreatment by murdering a fellow banker… Sir Garth Fratten. At the time the book was highly praised.

Henry Wade was the pen name of Sir Henry Lancelot Aubrey-Fletcher (1887-1969) Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire. He had a distinguished military a career in both World Wars and played cricket for his county. He was very successful as a writer and a founding member of the Detection Club.

Scarce First Edition of a very worthwhile detection novel.

$90.00

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Doctor at Large – Richard Gordon – 1950′s

Published by Michael Joseph for the Quality Book Club, London 1953 a first of type. Octavo and 248 pages of hilarity, top edge stained maroon as required. A very good copy.

A young Doctor Gordon finds himself in the usual spot as anew entrant .. competition for promotion does not go his way and he is shuttled off to the Midlands. An experienced practitioner suggests that getting to know fellow doctors wives is a good tactic. Not sure the advisor had in mind Gordan’s interpretation … all good clean fun viz the period.

Doctors Gordon Larger than Life

$30.00

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Killer in the Rain – Raymond Chandler – First UK Edition 1964

A Gun for Sale – Graham Green – Special Edition 1944

Doctor Fischer of Geneva or The Bomb Party – Graham Greene – First Edition 1980

SO (Ten Romances) – John Crombie and The Kickshaws Private Press – Limited to 175 copies – Unusual Permutational Book.

The Duke of York’s Steps – Henry Wade – First Edition 1929.

Doctor at Large – Richard Gordon – 1950′s

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