First UK edition, first printing. Original black cloth with purple titles to the spine, lacking the rare dustwrapper. A very good copy, the binding firm with a slight lean to the spine, the extremities rubbed, the corners with slight wear. The contents, with faint foxing to the first few pages and a few small spots to the closed text-block edge, are otherwise clean and without stamps or inscriptions.

The first Nero Wolfe mystery novel and the launch of a classic detective series that would grow to include 33 novels and 41 short stories. First published in the US in 1934 by Farrar and Rineheart. The basis for the 1936 film 'Meet Nero Wolfe', directed by Herbert Biberman and starring Rita Hayworth, Edward Arnold and Lionel Stander. (Hubin).

First edition, first printing of the second Nero Wolfe novel. Publisher's original black cloth with gilt titles to the upper board and spine, in the Winfred Earl Lefferts illustrated dustwrapper. Top edge green. An excellent near fine copy, the binding square and firm, the cloth and gilt fresh. The contents, with a previous owner's ink inscription and tipped in contemporary newspaper review to the front endpaper, are otherwise clean throughout. The top-stain a little faded. Loosely laid in is a small publisher's printed publicity card quoting a review of Fer-De-Lance by William Lyons Phelps. Complete with the lightly rubbed and nicked dustwrapper that remains without fading, large chips or tears. Not price-clipped (net $2.00 to the upper front flap). An exceptional, unsophisticated example of a notoriously fragile dustwrapper.

The second Nero Wolfe novel, and like the first, 'Fer-De-Lance', a Haycraft Queen Cornerstone (one of the most influential works of mystery fiction as listed by the crime fiction historian Howard Haycraft and Ellery Queen). (Hubin).

First edition in book form, first printing. Publisher's original blue cloth with black titles to the upper board and spine, without dustwrapper. Top edge yellow. Deckled fore-edge. Publisher's device on the copyright page, as called for. A very good or better copy, the binding square and firm, with a little rubbing and bumping to the spine tips and extremities, the cloth with a few marks and toning to the spine. The closed text block edge is a little toned. The contents, with a some offsetting to the endpapers and the occasional foxing spot, are otherwise clean throughout and without inscriptions or stamps.

The third Nero Wolfe novel, originally serialised in six issues of 'The Saturday Evening Post' between 29 February and 4 April 1936. This first edition in book form was issued 9 April 1936. The UK first edition, published by Cassell and Company followed in 1938. (Hubin).

First edition in book form, first printing. Hardcover. Publisher's original grey cloth with red titles to the upper board and spine, without the scarce dustwrapper. Top edge dark red. Deckled fore-edge. Publisher's device on the copyright page, as called for. A very good copy, the binding square and firm with a little wear to the spine tips and extremities, the cloth, lightly marked and with a light cup ring to the lower board. The contents, with some offsetting to the endpapers and the occasional foxing spot to the page gutters and margins, are otherwise clean throughout and without inscriptions or stamps. The closed text block is lightly toned.

The fourth Nero Wolfe novel, originally serialised in five issues of 'The American Magazine' from December 1936 through April 1937. The UK first edition, published by Cassell and Company followed later the same year. (Hubin).

First UK edition, first printing. Original red cloth with yellow titles to the spine, in the beautifully illustrated Eric Fraser dustwrapper. A better than very good copy, the binding square and firm, the extremities rubbed, the spine tips with slight bumping and some light marks. The contents are clean throughout and without stamps or inscriptions. Complete with the good torn, chipped and creased original dustwrapper which is lightly toned to the spine and has two pieces of tape to the underside. Correctly priced 7/6 net to the spine. Very scarce in dustwrapper.

The fourth Nero Wolfe detective novel. Originally serialised in five issues of 'The American Magazine' from December 1936 through April 1937 and first published in book form by Farrar and Rinehart in April 1937. This first UK first edition was published later the same year. The last Nero Wolfe book to be published by Cassell; the British editions of later titles were published by Collins Crime Club. (Hubin).

First edition, first printing. Original red cloth with dark navy titles to the spine and upper board, in dustwrapper. Black top edge. With 'Recipes' printed on blue paper at the rear. A very good copy, the binding square and firm with slight bumping to the spine tips and board corners and a faint cup ring on the lower board. The contents, with some spotting to the endpapers and a small newspaper clipping of a Rex Stout obituary pasted on the front free endpaper, are otherwise clean throughout. Complete with the the very good dustwrapper that has undergone skilled repair and restoration to several chips at the spine tips and corners, giving the appearance of a fine copy. Not price-clipped ($2.00 on the upper front flap).

The fifth Nero Wolfe novel. Originally serialised in The American Magazine between March and August 1938, and published here in book form 17 August 1938. The UK edition, published by Cassell and Company, followed in September the same year.

First UK edition, first printing. Publisher's original red cloth with black titles to the spine, lacking the scarce dustwrapper. With a Crime Club postcard loosely laid in. Recipes on blue paper at the rear. A very good copy, the binding square and firm, the spine lightly faded, the extremities a little rubbed, the upper board with a couple of faint marks. There is light offsetting to the endpapers, spotting to the prelims and closed text-block edge and occasional foxing the the margins, the contents are otherwise clean and without inscriptions or stamps.

The fifth Nero Wolfe mystery novel and the first to be published by The Crime Club. First published earlier in the same year in the US by Farrar and Rineheart. (Hubin; Curran, John: The Hooded Gunman).

First UK edition, first printing. Publisher's original red cloth with black titles to the spine, in dustwrapper. A very good or better copy, the binding square and firm with a little bumping at the spine tips and a little wear to the corners, the cloth bright and fresh, and lightly faded to the spine. The contents are clean throughout and without previous owner's inscriptions or stamps. There are a few very faint marks to the closed text-block fore-edge. Complete with the lightly rubbed, nicked and creased dustwrapper that is very slightly faded to the spine and has a 3mm closed tear to the head of the spine and another to the top edge of the rear flap fold. Not price-clipped, with a publisher's paper label over the printed price on to the lower front flap. A very attractive example, uncommon thus.

The sixth Nero Wolfe novel and the second of Stout's books to be published by Collins Crime Club. A detective novel concerning the murder of a prize bull. An abridged version was first published in The American Magazine under the title 'The Red Bull' in December 1938, and the extended book form was first published in the US by Farrar and Rineheart in February 1939. This first UK edition was published in July 1939. (Hubin; Curran, John: The Hooded Gunman).

First edition, first printing. Publisher's original red cloth with black titles to the upper board and spine, without dustwrapper. Top edge dark green. Deckled fore-edge. With a black and white illustration facing page 121. Publisher's device to the copyright page, as called for. A better than very good copy, the binding square and firm, the cloth with perhaps a touch of fading to the spine, and a little rubbing to the extremities. The contents, with some offsetting to the endpapers, are otherwise clean throughout and without inscriptions or stamps.

The eighth Nero Wolfe novel, originally released in an abridged format in the May 1940 issue of 'The American Magazine', under the title 'Sisters in Trouble'. This first edition in book form was published in June 1940. The UK first edition, published by Collins, The Crime Club, followed in March 1941. Upon first publication, the story drew attention from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Bureau had already been monitoring Rex Stout for some time and suspected that he used symbolism in his Nero Wolfe stories to conceal Communist sympathies. For his book 'Dangerous Dossiers: Exposing the Secret War Against America's Greatest Authors' (1988), Herbert Mitgang gained access to, and reviewed 183 of the 301 heavily censored pages of Stout's personal FBI file, and derides the organisation's "highly imaginative" attempts to turn Stout's fiction into fact, arguing that "When it served its purposes, agents of the FBI could turn into literary critics, finding, however ludicrous, damning symbols in fiction" (p 222).

First UK edition, first printing. Original red cloth with black titles to the spine, in the Thompson illustrated dustwrapper. A very good copy, the binding firm with bumping and slight fading to the tips of the slightly rolled spine, the board corners very slightly bumped. There is some light, faint spotting and creasing to the early pages and the closed text-block edge, the contents are otherwise clean throughout and without inscriptions or stamps. Complete with the rubbed, nicked and creased dustwrapper that has a small chip and several tiny closed tears at tips of the toned spine, and a 1cm closed tear at the top of the front flap fold. Unpriced on the front flap, for export.

The first and only Rex Stout detective novel to feature Inspector Cramer in the leading role. Cramer, head of the New York Police Department's Homicide Division, features as a supporting character in the majority of Stout's Nero Wolfe novels, frequently collaborating with Wolfe on homicide cases. Wolfe does not appear in 'Red Threads'. First published in the US by Farrar and Rineheart in 1939. (Hubin; Curran, John: The Hooded Gunman).

First UK edition. Original red cloth with black titles to the spine, in dustwrapper. A very good copy, the binding square and firm with some bumping at the extremities, the cloth slightly faded at the edges. The closed text-block edge is dusty and a little spotted, and there is the very occasional spot to the margins, the contents are otherwise clean throughout and without previous owners' stamps or inscriptions. Complete with the rubbed and nicked, price-clipped dustwrapper which has a couple of short closed tears to the folds, some darkening and spotting to the rear panel and a little rubbing at the extremities. An attractive example of a scarce wartime title.

The third mystery featuring private detective Tecumseh "Tec" Fox, well named because he is shrewd, wise and wily! Set in the same universe as Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe novels. While Fox and Stout never cross paths, both series share some side characters and locations. First published in the US by Farrar and Rinehart the previous year. (Hubin; Curran, John: The Hooded Gunman).

First UK edition, first printing. Original red cloth with black titles to the spine, in dustwrapper. A near fine copy, the binding square and firm,with a little rubbing to the extremities, the fore-edge of the lower board with two slight, shallow bumps. There is a previous owner's inscription to the front free endpaper, the contents are otherwise bright and clean throughout. Complete with the very good, lightly rubbed, nicked and creased dustwrapper that is faded to the spine and has a 3mm closed tear to the top edge of the front panel. Not price-clipped (7s 6d on the lower front flap). An attractive example of a very scarce title in dustwrapper.

A collection of two Nero Wolfe stories, 'Black Orchids' and 'Cordially Invited to Meet Death'. The ninth Nero Wolfe book and Rex Stout's first short story collection. First published in 1942 in the US by Farrar and Rinehart. (Hubin; Curran, John: The Hooded Gunman).

First UK edition and first separate, full-length edition, first printing. Original red cloth with black titles to the spine, in dustwrapper. A very good copy, the binding firm and square with a little bumping and fading at the spine tips, the board corners slightly rubbed. The contents, with a small crack at the gutter of the half-title, and a slight indentation on the front free endpaper from an erased previous owner's name, are otherwise clean throughout. Complete with the lightly rubbed, nicked and creased dustwrapper that has a couple of tiny chips and short closed tears, and a slightly faded spine. Unpriced to the front flap (for export). A nice copy of a scarce title.

The second of three novels featuring detective Tecumseh Fox, set in the same universe as Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe novels. While Fox and Stout never cross paths, both series share some side characters and locations. First published in the anthology 'The Second Mystery Book' in 1940 in the US by Farrar and Rinehart. (Hubin; Curran, John: The Hooded Gunman).

First edition, first printing. Publisher's original turquoise cloth with titles in dark green to the upper board and spine, in the Robert Hallock illustrated dustwrapper. Top edge green. A near fine copy, the binding square and firm, the cloth bright and fresh, with just a couple of light marks to the upper board and some small finger marks to the top-stain, and a little rubbing to the spine tips and extremities. The contents are clean throughout, and without inscriptions or stamps. Complete with the very good, rubbed, nicked and creased dustwrapper, which has a few tiny closed tears to the bottom edge and small chips to the spine tips and corners. Not price-clipped ($2.50 to the upper front flap).

The tenth Nero Wolfe novel. Published in October 1947. The UK edition, published by Collins, The Crime Club, followed in April 1948. (Hubin).

First UK edition, first printing. Original red cloth with black titles to the spine, in dustwrapper. A lovely near fine copy, the binding firm and square, with a little rubbing and fading to the extremities. The contents are clean throughout and without previous owner's inscriptions or stamps. Complete with the rubbed, nicked and creased dustwrapper which is a little faded to the spine and has been reinforced with one strip of paper to the bottom of the rear flap fold and with three strips to the underside. Not price-clipped (8s 6d to the lower front flap).

The tenth Nero Wolfe mystery novel. First published in the US in 1947 by the Viking Press. (Hubin; Curran, John: The Hooded Gunman).

First edition, first printing. Publisher's original orange cloth with light purple titles to the upper board and spine, in the Bill English designed dustwrapper. A very good or better copy, the binding square and firm, the cloth bright and fresh, with some bumping and scuffing to the spine tips. The contents, with a previous owner's inscription, toning and offsetting to the endpapers and sporadic spotting to the margins throughout. The closed text block has some spotting to the fore- and bottom edges. Complete with the very good, rubbed, faded and creased, clipped dustwrapper, which has mild spotting to the front panel, edges and folds, with a moderate stain to the rear flap, and two minor tears to the tail of the spine. Secured with tape on the underside at the bottom of the rear panel.

The thirteenth Nero Wolfe novel, and the last in the Zeck Trilogy, depicting Wolfe's final stand-off with nemesis crime boss Arnold Zeck. Published in September 1950. The UK first edition, published by Collins, The Crime Club followed in 1951. (Hubin).

First UK edition, first printing. Original red cloth with black titles to the spine, in dustwrapper. An excellent near fine copy, the binding firm with a little bumping at the spine tips. The contents are clean throughout and without inscriptions or stamps. Complete with the lightly rubbed, nicked and creased pictorial dustwrapper that has a few short closed tears at the edges of the spine and the top of the front panel. Unpriced to the front flap (for export).

A Nero Wolfe mystery novel. First published in the US in 1950 by the Viking Press under the title 'In the Best Families'. (Hubin; Curran, John: The Hooded Gunman).

First UK edition, first printing. Original red cloth with black titles to the spine, in dustwrapper. A better than very good copy, the binding firm, the spine a little rolled, the cloth slightly faded at the edges. There is a little faint spotting to the closed text-block edge, the contents are otherwise clean throughout and without stamps or inscriptions. Complete with the rubbed, nicked and creased dustwrapper that has a couple of short closed tears and a lightly faded spine. Not price-clipped (8s 6d on the front flap).

The twelfth Nero Wolfe mystery novel. First published in 1949 in the US by the Viking Press. (Hubin; Curran, John: The Hooded Gunman).

First edition, first printing. Publisher's original green cloth with black titles to the upper board and spine, in the Bill English designed dustwrapper. Top edge green. A near fine copy, the binding square and firm, the cloth bright and fresh, with some bumping to the spine tips. The contents, with a small brown mark to the bottom edge of page 25, are otherwise clean throughout and without inscriptions or stamps. Complete with the original price-clipped dustwrapper that is rubbed at the edges and lightly faded to the spine.

A collection of three Nero Wolfe mystery novellas, comprising 'Man Alive' (1947), 'Omit Flowers' (1948) and 'Door to Death' (1949). First published in April 1950. The UK edition, published by Collins, The Crime Club, followed in September the same year. (Hubin).

First UK edition, first printing. Original red cloth with black titles to the spine, in dustwrapper. A near fine copy, the binding firm with a little bumping to the corners and tips of the slightly rolled spine, the cloth is bright and fresh. The contents, with a faint strip of offsetting to the half title, are otherwise clean throughout and without inscriptions or stamps. Complete with the lightly rubbed and nicked dustwrapper which remains unusually bright. Unpriced to the front flap, for export.

A collection of three Nero Wolf stories, 'The Gun with Wings', 'Bullet for One' and 'Disguise for Murder'. First published in the US in February 1951 by the Viking Press. This first UK edition was published in October of the same year. (Hubin; Curran, John: The Hooded Gunman).

First edition, first printing. Publisher's original yellow cloth with red titles to the upper board and spine, in the Bill English designed dustwrapper. Top edge red. A better than very good copy, the binding square and firm, lightly marked to the lower board, with a little fading to the extreme top edge and top-stain, and mild rubbing and bumping to the spine tips and extremities. The contents, with just a touch of toning to the fore-edge of the closed text block, are otherwise clean throughout and without inscriptions or stamps. Complete with the near very good, rubbed, nicked and creased dustwrapper, which has a couple of small chips, some marks to the rear panel and a piece of tape at the head of the mildly faded spine. Not price-clipped ($2.50 to the upper front flap).

The fourteenth Nero Wolfe novel. A bibliomystery, published in October 1951. The UK edition, published by Collins, The Crime Club followed in 1952. (Hubin).

First UK edition, first printing. Original red cloth with black titles to the spine, in dustwrapper. A near fine copy, the binding square and firm with some minor bumping at the spine tips and board corners. The contents are clean throughout and without previous owner's inscriptions or stamps. Complete with the rubbed, nicked and creased dustwrapper which has a handful of short closed tears at the spine and flap folds. Unpriced to the front flap (for export). An attractive example.

A Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin bibliomystery. First published in the US by the Viking Press in 1951. (Hubin; Curran, John: The Hooded Gunman).

First edition, first printing. Publisher's original green cloth with black titles to the upper board and spine, in the Bill English designed dustwrapper. Top edge dark green. A near fine copy, the binding square and firm, with some rubbing to the spine tips and extremities, and a little fading to the extreme top edge and tail of the spine. The contents, with light offsetting to the endpapers, are otherwise clean throughout, and without inscriptions or stamps. The closed text block is a touch toned and very lightly spotted, with a small mark to the top edge. Complete with the very good or better, rubbed, nicked, and creased dustwrapper, which has a short closed tear to the bottom edge of the rear panel, light spotting to the underside of the spine, and a couple of small chips to the fold corners. Not price-clipped ($2.50 to upper front flap).

The fifteenth novel in the Nero Wolfe series, published in October 1952. The UK edition was published the following year under the title 'Out Goes She'. (Hubin).

First UK edition, first printing. Original red cloth with black titles to the spine, in dustwrapper. A better than very good copy, the binding square and firm, the spine tips and board edges with some slight fading. There is some sparse spotting to the closed text-block edge, the contents are otherwise clean throughout and without previous owners' stamps or inscriptions. Complete with the lightly rubbed, nicked and creased dustwrapper which is lightly faded at the spine. Not price-clipped (9s 6d on the lower front flap). An attractive copy of a scarce title.

A collection of three Nero Wolfe stories, 'Home to Roost', 'The Cop-Killer' and 'The Squirt and the Monkey'. First published in the US in 1951 by the Viking Press. (Hubin; Curran, John: The Hooded Gunman).

First edition, first printing. Publisher's original quarter grey cloth and patterned paper-covered boards with yellow spider illustration to the upper board, with yellow titles to the spine, in the Bill English designed dustwrapper. Top edge orange. A near fine copy, the binding square and firm, bright and fresh, with a little rubbing to the spine tips. The contents, with a light pen mark to the front endpaper, are otherwise clean throughout, and without inscriptions or stamps. Complete with the rubbed, nicked and creased dustwrapper, which has a tiny chip to the head of the spine, and a couple of short closed tears to the bottom edge. Not price-clipped ($2.50 to the upper front flap).

The sixteenth Nero Wolfe novel, published in October 1953. The UK edition published by Collins, The Crime Club followed in 1954.

First UK edition. Original paper-covered boards with black titles to the spine, in dustwrapper. A better than very good copy, the binding square with a very slight lean to the spine and faint bumping to the spine tips. The contents, with a few faint marks to the closed text-block fore-edge and two tiny pen marks to the front free endpaper, are otherwise clean throughout. Complete with the lightly rubbed, nicked and creased original dustwrapper that has a short closed tear to the foot of the front spine fold and a small chip each to the foot of the spine and the foot of the front flap fold. Not clipped or priced to the front flap (for export).

A Nero Wolfe mystery novel. First published in the US by the Viking Press in 1953. (Hubin; Curran, John: The Hooded Gunman).

First UK edition, first printing. Original red cloth with black titles to the spine, in dustwrapper. A near fine copy, the binding firm, the cloth, very lightly faded at the board edges and tips of the slightly rolled spine. The contents are clean throughout and without inscriptions or stamps. Complete with the lightly rubbed, nicked and creased dustwrapper that has a handful of short closed tears at the edges and two tiny chips at the tips of the slightly faded spine. Not price-clipped (9s 6d net to the front flap). An attractive example of a scarce title.

A Nero Wolfe mystery novel. First published in the US in 1952 by the Viking Press under the title 'Prisoner's Base'. (Hubin; Curran, John: The Hooded Gunman).

First edition, first printing. Publisher's original black cloth with yellow titles to the spine, in the Bill English designed dustwrapper. A near fine copy, the binding square and firm, with a little rubbing to the spine tips and extremities, the cloth bright and fresh. The contents, with just a touch of spotting to the fore-edge of the closed text block and a small production flaw to page 123, are otherwise clean throughout and without inscriptions or stamps. Complete with the very good rubbed and nicked dustwrapper, which has a large closed tear with associated creasing at the top of to the front panel, and is otherwise without fading or loss. Not price-clipped ($2.75 to the upper front flap).

The seventeenth Nero Wolfe novel. Published in October 1954. The UK edition, published by Collins, The Crime Club, followed in August 1955. (Hubin).

First UK edition, first printing. Publisher's original red paper-covered boards with black titles to the spine, in the William Randell illustrated dustwrapper. A lovely near fine copy, the binding square and firm. The contents, with a previous owner's name at the head of the title page and a tiny '32' stamp at the bottom corner of the rear pastedown, are otherwise clean and bright throughout. Complete with the near fine, lightly rubbed dustwrapper which has a short, clean closed tear to the top of the front spine fold, repaired with a single piece of tape to the underside. Unpriced to the front flap, for export. A lovely copy.

The seventeenth Nero Wolfe mystery novel. An uncommon instance of Wolfe leaving his New York brownstone as he travels to Montenegro amidst the aftermath of the murder of his oldest friend. First published in the US in 1954 by the Viking Press. (Hubin; Curran, John: The Hooded Gunman).

First edition, first printing. Publisher's original light blue cloth, with darker blue titles to the upper board and spine, in the Bill English designed dustwrapper. Top edge dark blue. A better than very good copy, the binding square and firm, with just a touch of fading to the extreme edges of the cloth, and with light rubbing to the spine tips. The contents, with a small foxing spot to the bottom edge of the lightly toned closed text block, are otherwise clean throughout and without inscriptions or stamps. Complete with the lightly rubbed, nicked and creased dustwrapper, which has a small chip to the rear panel, and is otherwise bright and without fading or tears. Not price-clipped ($2.75 to the upper front flap).

The eighteenth Nero Wolfe novel. Published in October 1955. The first UK edition, published by Collins, The Crime Club followed in 1956. (Hubin).

First UK edition, first printing. Original red cloth with black titles to the spine, in dustwrapper. A near fine copy, the binding firm and boards bright, with a slight lean to the spine. There is some light offsetting to the endpapers, the contents are otherwise clean throughout. Complete with the lightly rubbed, nicked and creased dustwrapper that has a few short closed tears at the edges and a light mark to the rear panel. Not price-clipped (10s 6d on the front flap).

The 18th Nero Wolfe mystery novel. First published in the US by the Viking Press in 1955. (Hubin; Curran, John: The Hooded Gunman).

First edition, first printing. Publisher's original blue boards with titles in blue to the light green cloth spine, in the Bill English designed dustwrapper. Top edge dark green. A near fine copy, the binding square and firm, the cloth bright and fresh, with just a touch of rubbing to the extremities. The contents are otherwise clean throughout and without inscriptions or stamps. The green top-stain is a little faded. Complete with the lightly rubbed, price-clipped dustwrapper, which has a little fading to the spine and panel edges and a short closed tear to the bottom edge of the front panel.

The nineteenth Nero Wolfe novel. Published in October 1956. The first UK edition, published by Collins, The Crime Club followed in 1957. (Hubin).

First UK edition, first printing. Original red cloth with titles to the spine in black, in dustwrapper. A near fine copy, the binding square and firm. The contents, with a small, light mark to the closed text-block fore-edge, very faint offsetting to the endpapers and a short closed tear to the margin of page 187, are otherwise clean throughout and without inscriptions or stamps. Complete with the lightly rubbed and nicked dustwrapper that has a tiny chip to the foot of the rear spine fold. Not price-clipped (10s 6d on the front flap).

A Nero Wolfe mystery novel. First published in the US by the Viking Press in 1956. (Hubin; Curran, John: The Hooded Gunman).

First edition, first printing. Publisher's original light blue cloth, with blue titles to the upper board and spine, in the Bill English designed dustwrapper. Top edge yellow. A very good or better copy, the binding square and firm, lightly faded and with some rubbing to the extremities. The contents, with small ink initials to the top right corner of the front free endpaper and a small ink notation to the rear pastedown, are otherwise clean throughout. Complete with the very good rubbed, nicked and creased dustwrapper, that has a short closed tear at the bottom of the lightly faded spine and some mild toning to the underside. Not price-clipped ($2.95 to the upper front flap).

The twentieth Nero Wolfe novel. Published in October 1957. The first UK edition, published by Collins, The Crime Club, followed later the same year. (Hubin).

First UK edition, first printing. Original red paper-covered boards with black titles to the spine, in the William Randell illustrated dustwrapper. A near fine copy, the binding square and firm. The contents, with a previous owner's name to the top edge of the title page, are otherwise clean throughout. Complete with lightly rubbed and creased dustwrapper which has a few short closed tears at the edges and, although without loss, has several (unnecessary) tape repairs to the underside. Not priced to the front flap (for export). An attractive example.

The twentieth Nero Wolfe mystery novel. First published in the US in 1957 by the Viking Press. (Hubin; Curran, John: The Hooded Gunman).

First edition, first printing. Publisher's original yellow cloth with black and blue titles to the upper board and spine, with noughts-and-crosses illustration to the upper board, in the Bill English designed dustwrapper. Top edge dark green. A very near fine copy, the binding square and firm, the cloth bright and fresh, with just a touch of rubbing to the spine tips. The contents, with a small bookplate to the front pastedown, are otherwise clean throughout, and without inscriptions or stamps. The closed text block is a touch toned. Complete with the lightly rubbed and creased dustwrapper, which is a touch faded to the spine and otherwise without loss or tears. Not price-clipped ($2.95 to the upper front flap).

A fix-up novel, comprising three novellas: 'A Window for Death', 'Immune to Murder' and 'Too Many Detectives'. First published in May 1957. The UK edition, published by Collins, The Crime Club followed in 1958. (Hubin).

First UK edition, first printing. Original red paper-covered boards with black titles to the spine, in dustwrapper. A near fine copy, the binding square and tight, the head of the spine a little bumped, the cloth bright and fresh. The contents, with faint offsetting to the endpapers, are otherwise clean throughout and without stamps or inscriptions. Complete with the lightly rubbed, nicked and creased original dustwrapper which has two short closed tears to the bottom edge of the front panel, one measuring 3cm and the other 1cm. Not price clipped (10s 6d to the bottom of the front flap).

A collection of three Nero Wolfe short stories, 'A Window for Death', 'Immune to Murder' and 'Too Many Detectives'. First published in the US by the Viking Press in 1957. (Hubin; Curran, John: The Hooded Gunman).

First edition, first printing. Signed by the author. Inscribed presentation copy. Publisher's original blue cloth with red titles to the upper board and spine, in the Bill English designed dustwrapper. Top edge red. With a black and white plate. A better than very good copy, the binding square and firm, the cloth bright and fresh, with a little rubbing and bumping to the spine tips and extremities. The contents, with some toning to the closed text block, are otherwise clean throughout, and without previous owners' inscriptions or stamps. Complete with the very good, rubbed and nicked dustwrapper that has tiny chips at the head and tail of the lightly faded spine and a couple of short closed tears. Not price-clipped ($2.95 to the upper front flap).

Inscribed by the author 6 days before publication in blue ink on the front endpaper "8.2.58 / To Nick and Peggy - / with love - / Rex". The recipients are Hungarian-born American photographer and former Olympic fencer, Nickolas Muray (1892-1965) and his fourth wife Margaret (Peggy) Schwab, an amateur pilot. Hailed as one of the greatest fencers in American history and the master of the three-colour carbon print in commercial photography, Muray's professional successes, while highly impressive, have been somewhat eclipsed in the public eye by his prolific ten-year love affair and enduring friendship with Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. His colour photographs of Kahlo remain the most iconic and recognisable images of the artist, second only to her painted self-portraits. A collection of four Nero Wolfe novellas, comprising 'Christmas Party', 'Easter Parade', 'Fourth of July Picnic', and 'Murder Is No Joke'. Published on 14 February 1958. The first UK edition, published by Collins, The Crime Club, followed in May 1959. (Hubin).

First edition, first printing. Publisher's original black cloth, with purple titles to the spine, and roses illustration in purple to the upper board, in the Bill English designed dustwrapper. A better than very good copy, the binding square and firm, the cloth bright and fresh, with some rubbing to the spine tips and extremities. The contents, with just a hint of offsetting and a couple of small foxing spots to the prelims are otherwise clean throughout and without inscriptions or stamps. Complete with the rubbed, nicked and creased dustwrapper, which is lightly spotted to the flaps, and is otherwise without loss or tears. Not price-clipped ($2.95 to the upper front flap).

The twenty-first Nero Wolfe novel. Published in November 1958. The first UK edition, published by Collins, The Crime Club followed in September 1959. (Hubin).

First UK edition, first printing. Publisher's original red paper-covered boards with black titles to the spine, in the William Randell illustrated dustwrapper. A fine copy, the binding square and tight, the boards bright and fresh. The contents are clean throughout and without inscriptions or stamps. Complete with the lightly rubbed and nicked dustwrapper that is a touch faded to the spine, and otherwise bright and without loss. Not price-clipped (10s 6d net to the lower front flap). A very attractive example, uncommon thus.

A collection of four Nero Wolfe stories, 'Christmas Party', 'Easter Parade', 'Fourth of July Picnic' and 'Murder is No Joke'. First published in the US in 1958 by the Viking Press under the title 'And Four To Go'. (Hubin; Curran, John: The Hooded Gunman).

First UK edition. Original red paper-covered boards with titles to the spine in black, in dustwrapper. A very good or better copy, the binding square and firm, the boards bright, the spine tips lightly bumped. The contents, with some spotting to the closed text-block edge, light offsetting to the endpapers and a small bookseller's label to the front free endpaper, are otherwise clean throughout and without inscriptions or stamps. Complete with the lightly rubbed, price-clipped dustwrapper which is little foxed to the rear panel.

A Nero Wolfe mystery novel. First published in the US by the Viking Press in 1959 under the title 'Plot it Yourself'. (Hubin; Curran, John: The Hooded Gunman).

First edition, first printing. Publisher's original orange cloth with titles in brown to the spine with a skeleton hand and door-knocker stamped in brown to the front panel. In the dustwrapper designed by Bill English. Top edge brown. A very good copy, the binding square and firm, the cloth bright and fresh. The contents, with a small rectangle removed from the inner top edge of the front free endpaper, presumably to remove a previous owner's inscription, are otherwise clean throughout. Complete with the lightly rubbed, nicked and creased original dustwrapper that has a very short closed tear to the foot of the spine and is a little spotted to the underside. Not price-clipped ($2.95 to the upper edge of the front flap).

A collection of three extended Nero Wolfe stories, 'Poison à la Carte', 'Method Three for Murder', and 'The Rodeo Murder', two of which are published here for the first time. First published in April 1960, the UK edition was published by Collins, The Crime Club, the following year. (Hubin).

First UK edition, first printing. Original red cloth with black titles to the spine, in the William Randell illustrated dustwrapper. A very near fine copy, the binding square and firm, the spine tips ever so slightly bumped, the cloth bright and fresh. The contents are clean throughout and without previous owner's inscriptions or stamps. Complete with the lightly rubbed dustwrapper which has a handful of tiny closed tears at the edges. Not price-clipped (10s 6d on the upper front flap).

A collection of three Nero Wolfe stories, 'Poison à la Carte', 'Method Three for Murder' and 'The Rodeo Murder'. First published in the US by the Viking Press in April 1960. (Hubin; Curran, John: The Hooded Gunman).

First UK edition, first printing. Original red cloth with black titles to the spine, in dustwrapper. A very good copy, the binding square and firm. The contents, with some spotting to the closed text-block edge, a pen mark to the rear free endpaper and some tippex to the rear pastedown, are otherwise clean throughout. Complete with the lightly rubbed, nicked and creased, price-clipped dustwrapper that has a tiny closed tear to the top edge of the rear panel.

A Nero Wolfe mystery novel. First published in the US by the Viking Press in 1961. (Hubin; Curran, John: The Hooded Gunman).

First edition, first printing. Original turquoise cloth with red titles to the spine and blind stamped titles to the upper board, in the Bill English designed dustwrapper. Top edge purple. A near fine copy, the binding square and firm, the extremities lightly rubbed. The contents are clean throughout and without previous owners' stamps or inscriptions. Complete with the very lightly rubbed, nicked and creased original dustwrapper. Not price-clipped ($2.95 on the front flap).

A collection of three Nero Wolfe novellas: 'Eeny Meeny Murder Mo', 'Death of a Demon' and 'Counterfeit for Murder'. Published in April 1962. The first UK edition, published by Collins, followed in 1963. (Hubin).

First UK edition. Original red paper-covered boards with titles to the spine in black, in dustwrapper. A very good or better copy, the binding square and firm, the boards clean and bright, the spine tips with very slight bumping. There is some spotting to the closed text-block edge, the contents are otherwise clean throughout and without inscriptions or stamps. Complete with the lightly rubbed, nicked and creased dustwrapper that has a few tiny closed tears and just a hint of fading to the spine. Not price-clipped (12s 6d on the front flap).

A collection of three Nero Wolfe stories, 'Eeny Meeny Murder Mo', 'Death of a Demon' and 'Counterfeit for Murder'. First published in the US by the Viking Press in 1962. (Hubin; Curran, John: The Hooded Gunman).

First UK edition. Publisher's original red paper-covered boards with black titles to the spine, in the [John Rose] illustrated dustwrapper. A lovely near fine copy, the binding square and firm, the boards bright and fresh. The contents, with two very small numerical ink notes to the rear pastedown and faint offsetting to the endpapers are otherwise clean throughout and without inscriptions or stamps. Complete with bright, lightly rubbed and nicked dustwrapper that is without fading or loss. Not price-clipped (12s 6d net to the lower front flap).

A Nero Wolfe detective novel, first published in America by the Viking Press in 1962. (Hubin; Curran, John: The Hooded Gunman).

First edition, first printing. Signed by the author. Publisher's original red cloth with titles in blue to the upper board and in black to the spine, in the Bill English designed dustwrapper. Top edge dark blue. Deckled fore-edge. An excellent near fine copy, the binding square and firm, the cloth bright and fresh, lightly rubbed to the spine tips and extremities. The contents are clean throughout and without previous owner's inscriptions or stamps. Complete with the very good or better, lightly rubbed, nicked and spine faded dustwrapper that has three short closed tears with associated creasing at the head of the spine. Not price-clipped ($3.50 to the upper front flap).

Signed by Rex Stout in blue ink on the front endpaper. The thirteenth and final collection of Nero Wolfe novellas, comprising 'Kill Now - Pay Later' (1961), 'Murder Is Corny', and 'Blood Will Tell' (1963). The previously unpublished 'Murder Is Corny' was the last 'Wolfe' novella to be written and the last to be published in Stout's lifetime. (Hubin).

First edition, first printing. Publisher's original quarter black cloth and red paper covered boards with titles in red and white to the spine, in the Bill English designed dustwrapper. Top edge black. A near fine copy, the binding square, firm and bright. The contents are clean throughout and without inscriptions or stamps. Complete with the lightly rubbed and creased original dustwrapper that has a 1 cm closed tear to the top edge of the front panel, another to the top edge of the rear panel, and an indentation to the front panel. Not price-clipped ($3.50 to the upper front flap).

Published in October 1965. The first UK edition, published by Collins, The Crime Club followed in 1966. The twenty-eighth Nero Wolfe novel and one that sparked controversy upon its publication for its critical portrayal of the FBI. The reaction reflected a broader shift in American public opinion during the 1960s, as confidence in the Bureau declined. This erosion of trust was shaped by several factors, including Robert F. Kennedy's repeated clashes with FBI director J. Edgar Hoover, Hoover's outspoken criticism of Martin Luther King Jr., and investigative journalist Fred J. Cook's exposé The FBI Nobody Knows (1964), which directly inspired The Doorbell Rang. (Hubin).

First edition, first printing. Publisher's original quarter red cloth over black paper-covered boards, with gilt titles to the spine, in the Abner Graboff designed dustwrapper. A better than very good copy, the binding square and firm, with a touch of fading to the top edge of the paper-covered boards, and just a touch of rubbing to the spine tips and extremities. The contents, with mild spotting to the top edge of the closed text block, are otherwise clean throughout and without inscriptions or stamps. Complete with the lightly rubbed and nicked dustwrapper that has a couple of small short closed tears to the panel edges and some marks to the underside.

The thirty-second, and penultimate, Nero Wolfe novel published in the author's lifetime. Published in September 1973. The UK first edition, published by Collins, The Crime Club, followed in 1974. (Hubin).

First edition, first printing. Publisher's original quarter black cloth over blue paper-covered boards, with gold and blue titles to the spine, in the Mel Williamson designed dustwrapper. A near fine copy, the binding square and firm, with some fading to the top and bottom edges of the paper-covered boards. The contents, with mild fading to the blue endpapers and just a touch of spotting to the top edge of the closed text block, are otherwise clean throughout and without inscriptions or stamps. Complete with the very near fine dustwrapper, which is lightly toned and spotted to the underside and with a small crease to the top edge of the rear flap. Not price-clipped ($5.95 to the upper front flap).

The last Nero Wolfe novel. Published in May 1975. The UK edition, published by Collins, The Crime Club, followed in 1976. (Hubin).