Books

London: George Newnes, Ltd, 1902. Souvenir Edition. An attractive copy of the second Sherlock Holmes novel, which "makes use of the Thames in an unforgettable manner, and the detection is more active than in A Study in Scarlet – as well as fraught with danger. For one thing, Watson succumbs to the charms of Miss Morstan, and for another the two detectives are nearly disposed of by Tonga, the Andaman Islander (Barzun & Taylor 1143). The first two titles of the Souvenir Edition – The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and The Last Adventures of Sherlock Holmes – were issued by Newnes in September, 1901, in dark blue cloth with a gilt sphinx design by Alfred Garth Jones, to coincide with the opening of the play Sherlock Holmes at the Lyceum Theatre. The Sign of Four was added in December 1901. A Haycraft-Queen Cornerstone title, infrequently found signed or inscribed. Gibson & Greene, p.578. A reprint (first published in 1901). Octavo (19cm); navy blue cloth, with titling and…

The Sign of Four, also called The Sign of the Four, is the second novel featuring Sherlock Holmes written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. In this story, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson investigate a complex case involving treasure, murder, and a secret pact among four convicts. The novel is notable for introducing the character of Mary Morstan, Dr. Watson's future wife.