Books

A beautiful first edition set of Wilkie Collins's important sensation mystery novel, very scarce to see a set of all first editions volumes. The sought after first edition, first state: pages 10 and 11 to Volume I transposed; with 'treacherously' to Volume II page 129; broken bracket to the tail of the title of Volume III. Very uncommon to see a set of all first edition volumes. Half-title is present to each volume. Bound without the publisher's adverts. Finely bound in a sumptuous half-crushed morocco binding by Riviere & Son. The important early detective novel by Wilkie Collins, an impressive work which set many of the ground rules for the modern mystery genre. Immensely popular when first published, 'The Moonstone' was a prime example of Victorian sensation fiction. 'The Moonstone' follows a young woman, Rachel Verinder, who suddenly inherits a large Indian diamond on her eighteenth birthday, from her corrupt army officer uncle. At her eighteenth birthday party Rachel wears the diamond, only to have it stolen from her bedroom later in the evening. This novel weaves together multiple narratives to solve the mystery of the missing diamond. An interesting novel based on the legendary origins of the Hope Diamond and the Orloff Diamond, both impressive diamonds originating from India. This novel was first serialized in Charles Dickens' magazine 'All the Year Round'. Bookplate of W. A. Foyle of Beeleigh Abbey to the front paste-downs. In a half-crushed morocco binding with cloth to the boards, bound by Riviere & Son. Externally, near fine, with only a few small marks to the boards. Light bumping to the extremities. Bookplate to the front paste-downs. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright and clean. Near Fine.