Early Mysteries from Quercus Rare Books

New York: Grosset & Dunlap, 1904. This novel was first published by Frederick Stokes [Hubin, p. 24]. This is a Near Fine copy of the reprint edition, issued in the same year [stated "This edition published in June, 1904"]. All printings of this title are scarce. Bright orange cloth binding, colorfully decirated on the front cover in blue and red;… Read more about this item

New York: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, 1909. Novelistic treatment of the popular play, which has been filmed at least twice. Jenks was known as a dime novelist, but he also collaborated on several mysteries [Hubin, p. 226]. First published by H.K. Fly in 1909; this is a Very Good copy of the reprint edition. Tan cloth binding with a colour… Read more about this item

New York: The Century Co., 1900. Silas Weir Mitchell (1829-1914) combined a career in medicine, as one of the most prominent physicians of the day, with literary pursuits. This collection presents two of his earliest efforts, both first published in "The Atlantic" [1866 and 1867]. This is a Very Good copy of the First Edition [Hubin, p. 295]. Green cloth… Read more about this item

Chicago: Rhodes & McClure Pub. Co., 1899. First published in 1893 with the title "Secrets of a Dark Plot in New York Society." Although retitled on the title page, the textblock retains the original. Dark green cloth binding, with very decorative titling and illustration in silver. Clean text; 428 pages; decorative endpapers. "Copiously Illustrated by H.S. DeLay." Typically, a poor-quality… Read more about this item

New York: A.L. Burt Company, 1908. This is the first volume featuring Chester's series protagonist, James Rufus Wallingford [Hubin, 78]. First published by Altimus; this is a Very Good (Plus) copy of the reprint from the same year [stated "Published April 1908"]. Orange cloth binding, with titling in black.The front cover has a tipped-in colour illustration. Clean text; 448 pages.… Read more about this item

New York: A.L. Burt Company, 1908. This is the first volume featuring Chester's series protagonist, James Rufus Wallingford [Hubin, 78]. First published by Altimus; this is a Very Good (Plus) copy of the reprint from the same year [stated "Published April 1908"]. Orange cloth binding, with titling in black.The front cover has a tipped-in colour illustration; often seen faded, this… Read more about this item

New York City: New Amsterdam Book Company, 1902. This is a Near Fine copy of the First Edition [Hubin, p. 30, notes that itt was also published by Doran in the same year}. Golden tan cloth binding decorated on the front cover with a lion rampant on a shield. Stamped in black and red. The lions also appears on the… Read more about this item

Toronto: The Copp, Clark Company, Limited, 1899. Australian author Guy Boothby (1867-1905) was prolific, working in several different genres. [Hubin, P. 41] This is a Very Good copy of the First Canadian Edition, which is scarce to rare. Tan cloth binding, decorated with a peering daughter stamped in blue, red, and brown. Clean text; 384 pages. Frontic illustration by Henry… Read more about this item

London: Hurst and Blackett, Limited, 1907. [Marie Francois} Goron (1847-1933) served as head of the Surete. Originally published in France in 1897; this is a Very Good copy of the Second Edition [stated]. It was published in the same year in the USA by Lippincott as"The Truth About the Case." [Hubin, p. 174] Whether these stories reflect true cases… Read more about this item

Indianapolis: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, 1913. This is a Fine copy of the First Edition. [Hubin, 347]. Rinehart (1876-1958) was prolific, but this is a very scarce to rare title. Maroon cloth binding with titling in gilt on th spine and front cover. The front is blindstamped with a scene of a figure in a boat; a higher production value than… Read more about this item

New York: Federal Book Company, 1902. The English novelist and playwright Thomas Henry (Hall) Cain was at one time considered to be the "most highly paid" author of his time. First published in 1885; this is a Very Good (minus) copy of a Reprinted edition. Decorative orange cloth binding. Titling and a floral design in black and gray on the… Read more about this item

New York: A.L. Burt Company Publishers, 1913. First published in 1912 by Little, brown. This is a Near Fine copy of a reprinted edition from one year later. [Stated "Published , March, 1913" and "Reprinted, March, 2013."] Considering two immediate reprintings, this is an oddly scarce title in the author's huge list of works. Blue cloth binding with titling in… Read more about this item

Nerw York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1905. First published in 1899, the first title in his series featuring Raffles [Hubin, 212] This is a Very Good (Plus) copy of a Later Printing from six years later. Bright red ribbed cloth binding with titling in white on the front cover. Frontis portrait; clean text; 290 pages, with a five-page catalong of other… Read more about this item

New York: A.L. Burt Company, 1910. Part of Futrelle's series starring Professor van Dusen, "The Thinking Machine." First published in America by Bobbs-Merrill in 1909 [Hubin, 159]. This is a Very Good copy of a reprint that is undated. Probably from 1910, although Bleiler suggests circa 1915. This edition contains "The Haunted Bell" which is not in the First [Bleiler,… Read more about this item

New York: A.L. Burt, Publisher, 1890. The British novelist [Sir Thomas Henry] Hall Caine (1853-1931)enjoyed imense popular aclaim and was reported to be the highest-paid writer of his time. This is his only mystery [Hubin, p. 62]. First published by Harper in 1885; this is a Very Good (Plus) copy of an undated later edition, probably circa 1890 or even… Read more about this item

London: Ward, Lock & Bowden, Limited, 1894. This is a Near Fine copy of the author's first book [which he dedicated to his mother]. Hubin, 41. Tan cloth bindin with beveled edges; titling on the front cover and spine in giltt. Decorated on the front cover with a sailing ship in gilt, with crossed sabre and pistol on the spine.… Read more about this item

New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company, 1899. Canadian Robert Barr (1849-1912) emigrated to England in 1881 and established himself as a popular mystery novelist and friend to the lierati of the day (he was chosen to complete Stephen Crane's novel "The O'Ruddy"when Crane died) This is one of his most interesting works, featuring a "woman sleuth" who gets involved with… Read more about this item

New York: Brentano's, 1908. Here is one of the most celebrated locked-room mysteries, the first in his series featuring the amateur detective Joseph Rouletabille. Leroux went on to write his next effort: "The Phantom of the Opera." Originally published in France; this is a Very good copy of the First American Edition. [Hubin, 253] Orange cloth binding with titling and… Read more about this item

New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company, 1895. William Tufwell Le Queix (1864-1927) led an active life as a journalist, diplomat, and advocate for aeroplanes and radio. Somehow he managed to fit in writing around 150 novels. His listing in Hubin covers almost two full pages [252-253]. This is a very Good (Plus) to Near Fine copy of the First American… Read more about this item

New York: International Book Company, 1892. Here is an early reprint of Stevenson's classic mystery. Decorative brown cloth covers, stamped in black with "Columbus Series," Columbus and his three ships, and a quotation from Thomas Carlyle. The spine is also decorated, with titling within a gilt label. The text is clean; 123 pages, with a four-page publisher's catalog in the… Read more about this item