THE BIG SLEEP

First edition, first printing. Publisher's original orange cloth with dark blue titles to the upper board and spine, in the Hans J. Barschel illustrated dustwrapper. Top edge blue. An excellent very near fine copy, the binding square and firm with a little bumping at the spine tips, the cloth bright and fresh. The contents are clean throughout and without inscriptions or stamps. Complete with the exceptionally clean and bright dustwrapper that presents in fine condition on account of imperceptible restoration to a few small chips at the upper edge and spine tips. Not price-clipped ($2.00 to the upper front flap). Housed in a bespoke quarter black morocco solander case, with titles in gilt to the spine.

The author's first book, introducing Philip Marlowe. A Haycraft-Queen Cornerstone. The basis for two film adaptations, the first in 1946 directed by Howard Hawks starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall; the second, [a turkey] in 1978 directed by Michael Winner starring Robert Mitchum, Sarah Miles, Joan Collins and Oliver Reed. (Hubin; Bruccoli A1.1.a).