Deco Period Collectables

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 Snows of Helicon – Tomlinson – First Edition 1933

First edition published by Harper & Brothers, New York and London in 1933. Thick octavo, 267 pages, a quality production on thick laid paper by Haddon Craftsman. A very good copy in a very good dust jacket.

Triumphant work by Henry Major Tomlinson (1873-1958) author of “Gallion’s Reach” and “All Our Yesterdays” another epic novel. Described as, the English Conrad, Tomlinson was an official correspondent in WWI

The central character, Travers, is an artist who turns to architecture on a grand scale then begins to doubt the march of progress. The novel starts onboard the ship “Cambodia”, a maritime setting often found entwined in Tomlinson’s writing. Superb story, beautifully told.

Striking deco period art to jacket – great gift

$60.00

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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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Bad Girl – Vina Delmar – 1929

A 1929 edition of this popular novel having been printed a number of times since its issue the previous year. Published by Grosset and Dunlap, New York. Octavo, 275 pages, art deco dust jacket designed by Arthur Hawkins. A very good if not better copy.

A story about New York and a young couple, Dot was from the Bronx and Eddie from Harlem. A book about first relationships in a thoroughly American 1920’s setting. She’s not at all bad by any standards – unusual title?

Deco era novel set in New York – would make a lovely gift

$40.00

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The Ballad of Reading Gaol – Oscar Wilde [John Vassos Illustrated Edition First of Type - Special] – Published by Dutton New York 1930

Oscar Wilde was convicted of gross indecency in 1895 and spent two years in Reading jail in England. He was released in May 1897 and went into self exile in Berneval-le-Grand, France where he wrote this work the Ballad of Reading Gaol.

It was first published in 1898 and re-issued many times and still in print today. This edition is something special.

Published by Dutton, New York, 1930, a first of type. Quarto, 124 pages, with 16 striking monochrome plates by John Vassos (1898-1985). Vassos had designed promotional material for the Oscar Wild play “Salome” and had been spotted by Dutton who brought him in to add his special touch to the Ballad.

Black over blue papered boards, scarce dust jacket in black and gold. A very good copy.

Oscar Wilde – Ballad of Reading Gaol – Striking Presentation.

$290.00

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Daphnis et Chloe By Longus with aquarelles by G. P. Jornard – Surely the world’s prettiest book

Published on the Champs-Elysees, Paris in the 1920’s by Editions Nilsson.

This superb book contains six mounted watercolours (aquarelles) that match the quality of the watercolour adorning this beautiful onion skin paper front cover.

Small quarto, 154 pages. This book often found as effectively a soft cover – this copy hard bound, pretty basic half red cloth over brown papered boards, top edge gilt. Whilst we say basic it’s done a good job in protecting the aquarelles … the odd bit of spotting in the text. Overall, a very worthwhile copy.

A Greek pastoral novel written by Longus during the second century AD. Based on the island of Lesbos a young couple having been brought up adopted by a goat herder and a shepherd respectively having been abandoned at birth eventually find love. It was a difficult road but it ends well.

The artist was Germaine Paule Jounard, she was a highly respected artist of the period and completed many illustrations particularly for the frencg fashion industry at the time.

What better romantic gift than this

French 1920’s with beauty and style

$190.00

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

The Snows of Helicon – Tomlinson – First Edition 1933

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

Bad Girl – Vina Delmar – 1929

The Ballad of Reading Gaol – Oscar Wilde [John Vassos Illustrated Edition First of Type - Special] – Published by Dutton New York 1930

Daphnis et Chloe By Longus with aquarelles by G. P. Jornard – Surely the world’s prettiest book

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