Books

First editions, first impressions, of the first two great collections of Sherlock Holmes stories, here in superb condition. These tales were gathered from their original appearances in Strand Magazine by its proprietor George Newnes; the front covers feature a vignette after the Strand's cover design. The Adventures has the misprint "Miss Violent Hunter" on p. 317 and the blank street sign in the cover vignette, as called for. The textual error continued through three further impressions, while in the second (1893) and third (1894) impressions the street sign was corrected to read "Southampton Street". There are no corresponding points for the Memoirs. Two works, royal octavo. Original pale and dark blue cloth over bevelled boards, spines lettered in gilt and black, front covers lettered in gilt and black with publisher's vignette in black, endpapers patterned with flowers in Adventures and peacock feathers in Memoirs, edges gilt. Frontispiece in Memoirs illustrating Holmes's apparent death at the Reichenbach Falls; both works prolifically illustrated in the text by Sidney Paget. Contemporary ownership inscription of coroner Clifford Luxmoore Drew (d. 1919) to front free endpaper of Memoirs. Lightly rubbed, spines slightly faded with a few small bumps and nicks to ends, bindings otherwise bright, inner hinges cracked, a couple neatly repaired, contents light foxed, else clean and sound: very good copies. 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.