Books

First edition in book form, first impression, in an attractive example of the scarce dust jacket. This final collection of 12 Sherlock Holmes short stories, all first published in Strand Magazine between 1921 and 1927, is a Haycraft-Queen cornerstone. Octavo. Original red cloth, spine and front board lettered in gilt, frame blocked in blind on front board. With illustrated dust jacket. Publisher's green paper advertisement leaf dated spring 1927 loosely inserted. Contemporary Swedish newspaper review mounted on rear pastedown, captioned in ink, manuscript gift inscription mounted on front free endpaper. Negligible rubbing to board edges, gilt on spine dulled, cloth fresh, offsetting to endpapers, an excellent copy in jacket, unclipped, small section of loss at head of spine, two closed tears almost the length of spine, nicks to jacket edges, small hole to front flap fold, all subtly reinforced with archival tissue to verso, presenting well. Green and Gibson A46a.

"The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" is a collection of twelve short stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, first published in 1892. The stories feature Sherlock Holmes, a brilliant consulting detective, and his friend and chronicler, Dr. John H. Watson. Set in Victorian London, each narrative presents a unique mystery for Holmes to solve, showcasing his remarkable deductive reasoning skills and attention to detail. The collection begins with "A Scandal in Bohemia," where Holmes is tasked with recovering compromising photographs of the King of Bohemia and his former lover, Irene Adler. The subsequent stories include mysteries ranging from stolen jewels ("The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle") to mysterious disappearances ("The Adventure of the Engineer's Thumb") and perplexing coded messages ("The Adventure of the Dancing Men"). In "The Adventure of the Speckled Band," Holmes investigates the death of a young woman and uncovers a venomous snake used as a murder weapon. "The Adventure of the Red-Headed League" involves a bizarre scheme to distract a pawnbroker. Meanwhile, in "The Adventure of the Final Problem," Holmes faces his arch-nemesis, Professor Moriarty, in a deadly confrontation at the Reichenbach Falls. Throughout these stories, Watson narrates the tales, highlighting Holmes' brilliant deductions, logical reasoning, and mastery of disguise. Each mystery is intricately woven, providing readers with a thrilling blend of suspense, intelligence, and unexpected twists. Conan Doyle's vivid portrayal of Victorian London, along with the dynamic between Holmes and Watson, captivates readers as they navigate the criminal underworld, encountering various characters and engaging in thrilling adventures. "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" remains a cornerstone of detective fiction, laying the foundation for the archetype of the astute detective. Doyle's ingenious storytelling and the enduring appeal of Holmes' intellect continue to resonate with readers, solidifying the collection's place in literary history as a timeless classic.