Agatha's Quest

Sherard, R[obert] H[arborough]

Published by London, 1890

About this Item

(London: Trischler and Company 1890). First UK edition? The book is dated 1890 to the title page but also says: "Fifteenth Thousand" so could be a very early reprint of the First Edition. Octavo: Illustrated front cover of a man being guillotined. There are 3 pages if adverts at the front of the book including the verso of the front cover for Beecham's Pills, Blenkiron's British Argosy Braces and Whelpton's vegetable purifying pills followed by the half-title page (with an advert for Pond's American "white" areca-nut tooth-paste followed by adverts on the verso for Hayman's balsam, Matthews's Fullers Earth and Rondeletia (an inestimable perfume for the toilet or handkerchief) followed by the Contents page on the verso of which is an advert for Holloway's Pills and Ointment followed by a printed signed letter from Jules Verne dated and located: Amiens Feb. 27th 1890 (on the verso of which is an advert for F C Russell's stout and the Aurophone (to be worn in the ear)). The text of the book represents pages 11 through to 188. This is followed by an advert for John Brinsmead Pianofortes on the verso of which are Press comments on another Trischler novel (Harvest by John Strange Winter) followed by adverts foe Ernest Benzon's "The Jubilee Plunger" , Dr J Collis Browne's Chlorodyne, Oetzmann & Co furniture store and on the rear cover Pears' soap. This is a VG copy with just a touch of rubbing at the spine ends. There is a neat gift inscription on the first page of the book. A remarkable survival of most uncommon book in its original wrappers. Originally published as a shilling shocker paperback by Trischler in the UK. The novel is set in the world of journalism and the Paris art world, enlivened by authentic first-hand details. "Sensational and bloodthirsty novel of murder, mystery and detection set largely in Paris and London (Upper Norwood)". -- Locke, A Spectrum of Fantasy III, p. 72 (citing this the original UK edition). Photographs/scans available upon request. Seller Inventory # 355490721812

Bibliographic Details

Title: Agatha's Quest

Publisher: London

Publication Date: 1890