Crime of the Fictional Variety

Orchids for Biggles – Captain W.E. johns – First Edition 1962

Published by the Brockhampton Press in 1962, a first edition.

Octavo, 168 pages, coloured frontispiece “Sorry, old boy …”, a preety good copy in a slightly chipped dust jacket. Biggles list at back ticked off by an enthusiast.

Top secret documents are missing along with a nuclear research scientist who is demanding a million dollars for their return. Unfortunately they have gone to the Peruvian jungle “among the orchids”. Biggles and his team will sort it al out …

Biggles … too busy to small the orchids.

$60.00

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My Life as a Fake – Peter Carey – First edition

Peter Carey had already won the Booker Prize twice, and other literary awards before he released “My Life as A Fake”.

Published by Knopf, Sydney in 2003. A first edition in great condition. Octavo, 280 pages, rough cut edges (trendy) as published. Unusual endpapers one half Kuala Lumpur image [as with the dust jacket] other stark pink.

Whilst given an international mystic flavour this book is partly based on the real life faking of the poet Ern Malley by the promotors of the superb Angry Penguins. Not only was the poet Ern Malley a fake he was also considered a bit rude which got the inventors into a little bit of trouble and consequently financial difficulty.

Back to Carey and we have the works of Bob McCorkie entirely the invention of Christopher Chubb who wants to teach the pretentious a lesson. There is a twist though and it has something to do with the phrase Voyager has some difficulty truly understanding … “be careful what you wish for”. When we say twist – it is Peter Carey so more to it that that.

Peter Carey First edition – maybe our favourite.

$60.00

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Crime Fiction 1749-1980 – A Comprehensive Bibliography – Plus 1981-1985 Supplement – Allen J. Hubin

Bibliographies in print; so much easier and fuller in satisfaction than online look-up – the latter’s ease offset by growing unreliability. There is a saying in the trade – if its Crime it has to be Hubin.

Two solid volumes only really suitable for domestic purchase. Original editions in their expected green cloth covered bindings – title in gilt to front and spine. I trifle aged in the end papers otherwise a nice set.

Suggestion for the dullest party game of all time – “think of a crime novel not in Hubin” … can last for hours.

Voyager thought he had all the Simenon Maigret in his collection – not so – 126 different issues recorded – [not sure of the duplicates – not as many as you think] – so we are not even half way there!

Hubin – essential reference for all crime story devotees .

$80.00

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Biggles Takes a Hand – Captain W.E. Johns – First Edition 1963

A very good copy of this scarce first edition Biggles.

Published by Hodder and Stoughton in 1963. Octavo, 160 pages with the odd illustration. Very good unclipped dust jacket the odd chip.

Biggles receives a message … “If you will go to the Adlon Restaurant in Bank Street, Kensington, today, at a quarter to one precisely, and sit at table number two, you will be joined by someone who will give you information you should be glad to have – A Well-wisher”

And, so it starts … great stuff and excellent use of commas.

Scarce Biggles First

$70.00

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Biggles Air Detective – Captin W.E. Johns

Stolen Aircraft, “Black Sheep”, the case of the Wounded Agent .. a Biggles shorter story delight, seven in all.

Published by Dean & Son a 1960’s reissue of an early Biggles collection. Octavo, 151 pages, toned evenly, crease to jacket still a good copy.

Biggles packed with thrills

$25.00

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Biggles Fails to Return – Captain W.E. Johns

Published in 1951 by Hodder & Stoughton a fourth issue of this edition.

Octavo, 223 pages, illustrated (by Stead) with a pretty good dust jacket. End paper maps of the Mediterranean Coast centred on Monaco … inset map shows “where the Italian flying boats were moored”.

Biggles is commissioned to rescue the Princess.

Biggles gets the girl – well saves her.

$30.00

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Orchids for Biggles – Captain W.E. johns – First Edition 1962

My Life as a Fake – Peter Carey – First edition

Crime Fiction 1749-1980 – A Comprehensive Bibliography – Plus 1981-1985 Supplement – Allen J. Hubin

Biggles Takes a Hand – Captain W.E. Johns – First Edition 1963

Biggles Air Detective – Captin W.E. Johns

Biggles Fails to Return – Captain W.E. Johns

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