Crime of the Fictional Variety

Up the Ladder of Gold – E Phillips Oppenheim – 1931

A first US edition published by Little Brown, Boston in 1931 one year after the UK First.

Dedicated to P.G. Wodehouse – “To my friend “Plum” Wodehouse – who tells me what I can scarcely believe, that he enjoys my stories as much as I do his”.

Octavo, 312 pages, overall a very good copy albeit a couple of edge chips and some repair and age to the dust jacket.

“The amazing story of the man who made war impossible” Protagonist Warren Rand is a mysterious businessman of dimensions to more than rival Murdoch. He controls newsprint, dominates stock markets and world economies … buys more gold than they can dig up … until his real purpose is revealed!

Oppenheim with an underlying message that resonates today

$90.00

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The Mardi Gras [New Orleans] Murders – Bristow and Manning – First edition 1932

First edition of this unusual murder mystery published by The Mystery League, New York and London in 1932.

Octavo, 286 pages, very good condition albeit obvious chips to rare dust jacket designed by Gene.

The Society dedicated to Dis – the Greek God of the Inferno are at the heart of murder at the New Orleans Mardi Gras. The gorgeous Cynthia Fontenay holds an elaborate costumed ball for Society members – everyone wears the satanic mask and scarlet lined black robe. Looks like number 47 had a bit of bad luck. The problem for the detectives is that there are fifty suspects.

1932 First – Mardi Gras in New Orleans – not for the faint hearted

$50.00

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The Clue of the Leather Noose – Donald Bayne Hobart – First Edition 1929

A first edition in immaculate condition published by Whitman, Wisconsin in 1929. Condition is just something for nearly 100 years old. Octavo, 254 pages.

The murder scene is the “Boardwalk” which we think is at Atlantic City, New Jersey. The boardwalk had rather unusual pus cars that posh people could sit in and be pushed around by the less posh – we have an image of it so you can see what it’s like.

Anyway, this murder mystery starts of at a pace with several characters appearing some out of nowhere – jealousy appears before all that and a rather unusual gruesome murder. Will it be solved – well it always is.

The odd little bit of strange typesetting which adds to the fun … and a dust jacket design that made our day.

1929 Murder Classic on the Boardwalk.

$120.00

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The Bandit “El Caballero” – Leslie Charteris

A 1952 edition of an early Leslie Charteris thriller published by Ward Lock, London.

Octavo, 255 pages, super dust jacket albeit, roughed at top and edge, forgive it for its rarity.

Charteris had not really got into his “Saint” stride before this book which is centres on a South American modern-day bandit – Ramon Francisco De Castilla Y Espronceda also known as “El Caballero” … “The Knight”. To complicate things further Scotland Yard knew him as “The Cat” …. After his prowling habit.

Flashy crime, besotted entanglements ensue.

Charteris in the same world but with different characters.

$50.00

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Single & Single – John Le Carre – Pre-Publication – Uncorrected Proof Copy – Limited Numbered Run – 1999

Produced by Hodder, London pre-publication numbered run of 1500.

Octavo, original purple card wrappers, 336 pages in very good condition.

Le Carre disclosed much later that the two main characters in this complex novel … a fraudulent money laundering London businessman and his son were based on himself and his father. Cornwell [Le Carre’s real name] senior had spent time in jail for insurance fraud and mixed with the Kray Brothers.

A story which draws on the collapse of the Soviet Union and the development of Russian monied thuggery in the aftermath.

Le Carre baring his soul – a special format for a special story

$50.00

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The Tailor of Panama – John Le Carre – First edition

A very good copy of the first Australian edition published by Hodder in 1996.

Octavo, 336 pages in very good condition very good dust jacket.

Le Carre’s amusing entertainment set in Panama and a homage to Graham Greene and his equally brilliant Our Man in Havana. The tailor experiences all sorts of difficulties … personal, financial and professional … he is a fine hand with the scissors.

Panama when it was edgy first time round … a long way from Savile Row.

$40.00

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Up the Ladder of Gold – E Phillips Oppenheim – 1931

The Mardi Gras [New Orleans] Murders – Bristow and Manning – First edition 1932

The Clue of the Leather Noose – Donald Bayne Hobart – First Edition 1929

The Bandit “El Caballero” – Leslie Charteris

Single & Single – John Le Carre – Pre-Publication – Uncorrected Proof Copy – Limited Numbered Run – 1999

The Tailor of Panama – John Le Carre – First edition

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