Books

London: Spencer Blackett, 1890. [5], 2-283pp, [1]. Original cloth, title, author and publisher in gilt to spine, title and author in gilt to upper cover, black blocked border to covers with fleuron corner pieces. Spine slightly darkened and leaned, small hole repaired at head of spine (near the 'f' of 'of' in the title, minor rubbing to spine ends and extremities, corners lightly bumped. Paper inner joints slightly split, a couple of pages a little carelessly opened, small tear to fore edge margin of pages 199/200, one or two light spots, but generally fairly bright and clean. Frontispiece, by Charles Henry Malcolm Kerr (see Houfe, page 196), lacks the tissue guard, and without publisher's catalogue to rear found in some copies. W.H. Smith and Son blind stamp to ffep, with armorial bookplate of Gloucester to front pastedown. The first issue cloth with 'Spencer Blackett's Standard Library' to foot of spine, with the misprints '13' on the contents page and 'w shed' on page 56. Now…

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.

First editions of 'The Sign of Four' can be determined by their publication details—published by Spencer Blackett, featuring a cover with a street scene and the text 'New Edition' typically indicates a later printing rather than a true first edition.