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Description

First edition in book form of the hard-boiled classic, in which private detective Sam Spade chases a valuable artifact with the femme fatale Brigid O'Shaughnessy, rarely found with the original dust jacket (here professionally restored). Hammett, a former Pinkerton detective, was one of the primary pioneers of a distinctly American strain of detective fiction: the hard-boiled. THE MALTESE FALCON captures many of the key traits of the genre, including a gritty setting (in this case 1920s San Francisco), morally ambiguous characters where no one seems entirely "good," and an isolated, lone-wolf protagonist who lacks the gentlemanly demeanor of famous antecedents like Sherlock Holmes. It was first published in a series of five issues of THE BLACK MASK beginning September 1929. Although the book didn't live up to Knopf's hopes, selling about a tenth the copies A FAREWELL TO ARMS did the previous year, it was vaulted to icon status with the 1941 noir film starring Humphrey Bogart and Mary Astor. 7.5'' x 5''. Original grey cloth, falcon design in blue on front board, spine stamped in blue and black, publisher's device on rear board. Black topstain, fore-edge machine deckle. In original expertly restored yellow dust jacket with falcon statue and hand grasping valuables on the front cover, and ads for Dain Curse and Red Harvest priced at $2.00 on rear cover, price clipped (as nearly always). [8], 267, [1] pages. Housed in a custom blue quarter goatskin clamshell box. Text clean and fresh.

About The Maltese Falcon

"The Maltese Falcon" by Dashiell Hammett is a seminal work in the genre of hard-boiled detective fiction. The novel follows the story of Sam Spade, a private detective in San Francisco, as he gets entangled in a complex web of mystery and intrigue. The plot kicks off when a beautiful woman named Miss Wonderly hires Spade and his partner, Miles Archer, for what seems like a simple surveillance job. However, Archer ends up murdered while tailing a suspect, launching Spade into a dangerous investigation that revolves around a legendary and valuable statuette of a falcon. As Spade delves deeper into the case, he encounters a cast of colorful and dubious characters, including the enigmatic Miss Wonderly (later revealed as Brigid O'Shaughnessy), the effeminate Joel Cairo, and the intimidating Casper Gutman. Each character has their own motives and connections to the elusive falcon, a priceless treasure that many desire. Betrayals, double-crosses, and shifting allegiances heighten the suspense as Spade navigates the treacherous landscape of deceit and greed. His ethical code and sharp wit guide him through the labyrinth of conflicting interests, all while maintaining a detached and stoic demeanor. Throughout the investigation, Spade remains emotionally detached and plays various sides against each other to uncover the truth. He ultimately exposes the layers of deception and reveals the falcon's true identity—a mere decoy. "The Maltese Falcon" is not merely a detective story but a compelling exploration of human nature, duplicity, and the allure of wealth. Hammett's writing style, characterized by terse prose and gritty realism, sets the tone for the hard-boiled detective genre. The novel's intricate plot, morally ambiguous characters, and Spade's unwavering determination make it a timeless classic, revered for its contribution to crime fiction and its enduring influence on subsequent detective novels and films.