Books

lg 8vo; Mixed set of 8 vols, containing all 12 stories from The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, all 12 stories from The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes (although The Arthur Conan Doyle Encyclopedia lists the adjunct stories of 'The Field Bazaar', never included in The Strand, and, 'The Hound of the Baskervilles', serialized in the Strand from Aug, 1901-April, 1902, in this grouping, we do not, and they are not included here), and all 13 stories from The Return of Shelock Holmes. Vols 2, 3, 27, and 28 are in original aqua cloth and vols 4, 5, 6, and 26 are bound in half-leather, although none match. No magazine covers have been retained. Vols 5 and 6 are ex-libre, with minimal markings. Some volumes have the ocassional proud leaf, and there is ocassional light staining in some volumes. By volume, then.Vol 2: Original decorative aqua cloth. Textblock square and tight. Spine heavily worn, evidence of it being glued down, effectively, and gilt lettering, although considerably dulled, is still legible. A few proud leaves. Vol 3: Original aqua cloth. VG. Square, tight textblock, light rubbing to covers, a bit more so to spine. Vol 4: Half-leather over marbeled boards. Square, tight textblock. Covers moderately rubbed, perhpas a bit less. Vol 5: Half-leather over pebbled boards. Ex- libre. Texblock is square and tight, however, the covers are nearly detached and a crude attempt has been made to reattach the front cover with some type of clearish glue, and because the job was only partly affectively, opening the loose board has torn the half-title and title pages to the first issue. Vol. 6: Quarter-leather over green pebbled cloth. Ex-libre (stamped only). Textblock square and tight, although front hinge has what appears to be an old fashioned library tape repair. One leaf proud. Leather spine well worn, although gilt lettering still legible. Vol 26: Black half-leather over black pebbled boards. Textblock square and tight.Covers moderately scuffed and chipped, yet gilt lettering on spine remains bright. Vol 27: VG+ in original decorative aqua cloth with all edges gilt. Textblock square and tight. Light staining to foredge of front cover and a 3/4' tear to upper rear spine fold. Vol. 28: Near VG, in origianal decorative aqua cloth with all edges gilt. Textblock square and tight, although a few leaves proud. Covers with light to moderatie rubbing., spine lettering just a bit dulled.

"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.