Books

First editions, first impressions, of the great first two collections of Sherlock Holmes stories, gathered from their original appearances in Strand Magazine by its proprietor George Newnes, with the Strand's cover design reproduced on the front covers as a vignette. The Adventures has both requisite points of first impression: with the misprint "Miss Violet Hunter" on p. 317 and with the blank street sign in the cover vignette. The textual error continued through three further printings, while from the second impression onwards the street sign was corrected to read "Southampton Street". In addition, Green & Gibson record two endpaper variants across both works, with floral or peacock-feather designs; in the Adventures the floral endpapers (as here) are earlier than the peacock. For the Memoirs, there is no priority between them. Loosely inserted is an advertisement for the third collection, The Return of Sherlock Holmes (1905). The flyer's reassurance that "the news of his death... turns out to be erroneous" is indicative of the huge popular demand for Holmes's revival following his apparent death at the hands of Moriarty at Reichenbach Falls in "The Final Problem", illustrated as the frontispiece of the Memoirs. 2 works, royal octavo. Original pale and dark blue cloth over bevelled boards, spines and front covers lettered in gilt and black, vignette on front covers in black, endpapers patterned with flowers in Adventures and peacock feathers in Memoirs, edges gilt. Frontispiece in Memoirs only, as issued, both works prolifically illustrated in the text by Sydney Paget. Adventures with inlaid old cataloguing slip and an advertisement stamped by Harry Greenwood bookshop and library of Halifax (see note). Spines cocked, bindings soiled, still bright save for faded gilt ground on spine of Memoirs, light frays to foot of Adventures, extremities rubbed and bumped, inner hinges split but holding, foxing to contents, still a very good set. Green & Gibson A10a, A14a.

"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.