THE SILENT SPEAKER. A Nero Wolfe Novel.

First edition, first printing. Signed by the author. Publisher's original green cloth stamped in yellow and purple to the upper board and spine, in the Robert Hallock illustrated dustwrapper. Top edge pink. A near fine copy, the binding square and firm with a little bumping and rubbing at the spine tips and corners, the cloth bright and fresh. The contents are clean throughout and without previous owner's inscriptions or stamps. Complete with the very good, rubbed and nicked, price-clipped dustwrapper which has a closed tear at the bottom of the front spine fold and some fading of the spine. Not price-clipped ($2.50 to the upper front flap).

Inscribed by the author in black ink on the front free endpaper "4-6-47 / For Albert D. Hutzler / with best wishes and regards / Rex Stout". The recipient was president and chairman of the Board of Hutzler Brothers Co. department store in Baltimore. The ninth Nero Wolfe novel. Published in October 1946. The UK first edition, published by Collins, The Crime Club, followed in March 1947. (Hubin).