Books

London: Hamish Hamilton Ltd, 1958. First Edition. A proof copy of the final Philip Marlowe novel. "Marlowe is weakening (by his own standards), since he takes on an impossible girl who is running away from a quite imaginary threat and forces her to trust him. There is some silly back-and-forth with $5,000 of traveler's checks, a double fornication without much zest, and at last a transatlantic phone call summoning Marlowe to marry his one true love" (Barzun & Taylor 737). The only inscribed copy of the proof we've handled, and the only one bearing any corrections; given Chandler's brief notations on the front wrapper, we allow for at least the possibility that this copy passed through his hands at some point in the editorial process. Bruccoli A11.2.a; Baird 448. First Impression. Octavo (18.25cm); publisher's original yellow wrappers, with titles printed in black on spine and front cover; [6],7-208pp. Inscribed by the author on the half-title page in the year of publication: "To…

Playback is Raymond Chandler's final novel, involving the private detective Philip Marlowe as he uncovers a complex web of lies and deceit.

First edition copies have a dark blue cloth binding and carry the 'Houghton Mifflin Company' imprint.