Books

Knopf -- Black Widow, 1945. 1st Edition. Hardcover. Fine/Near Fine. First Black Widow edition inscribed by Chandler to the director John Houseman. "For John Houseman with the somewhat insufficient excuse that I forgot to murder him. Ray. 5.13.45." Chandler and Houseman began as English schoolyard compatriots and eventually went on to collaborate infamously ont he film "The Blue Dahlia" by rushing to complete the script before its star, Alan Ladd, entered military service. Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Dust jacket has some tape on inside. Comes in a custom-made case clamshell case with leather spine and gold tooling and lettering.

The Big Sleep is a hardboiled crime novel by Raymond Chandler, the first in his acclaimed series about detective Philip Marlowe. The story is set in Los Angeles and follows Marlowe as he investigates a complex case involving blackmail, mystery, and murder, which begins with a wealthy general who is being blackmailed and needs Marlowe's help.

First editions of 'The Big Sleep' can be recognized by their distinctive dust jacket featuring droplets on a cobwebbed background, published by Alfred A. Knopf in 1939. The absence of a topstain on the book edges and the $2.00 price on the dust jacket flap are also indicative of a true first edition first printing.