THE JUDAS PAIR

First edition, first printing. Publisher's original red cloth with gilt titles to the spine, in dustwrapper. An excellent near fine copy, the binding square and firm, with just a touch of fading to the cloth at the spine tips. The contents, with the occasional foxing spot to the prelims and a small spot to the bottom edge of the closed text block, are otherwise clean throughout, and without previous owner's inscriptions or stamps. Complete with the bright, lightly rubbed and creased dustwrapper which has a short closed tear to the front flap fold, secured with a piece of tape to the underside. Not price-clipped (publisher's label £1.50 net over the £3.25 printed price to the lower front flap).

The first novel in the 'Lovejoy' series, introducing the eponymous antiques dealer and amateur detective. Winner of the 1977 Crime Writers' Association New Blood Dagger [John Creasey Memorial] award. Lovejoy's adventures hunting down the mythical thirteenth pair of Durs Egg duelling pistols formed the basis for the fifth episode of the BBC television adaptation 'Lovejoy' starring Ian McShane, which spanned four seasons from 1986-93.