The Witness For The Prosecution and Three Blind Mice
Language: English
Published by Walter J. Black , The Detective Book Club, 1948
- First Edition
- Hardcover
- Used
Seller: LEGACY RARE BOOKS, WOODHALL SPA, LINCS, United KingdomLEGACY RARE BOOKS
AbeBooks seller since November 13, 2020
Condition: Used - Fine
£ 5,000.00
Quantity: 1 available
Add to basketItem description from seller
Ultra rare first edition, first impression of the novella "Three Blind Mice", which was the basis for "The Mousetrap". Published in 1948, together with "Witness For The Prosecution" (which had been first published in book form in 1933 as part of the short story collection "The Hound of Death") "by special arrangement with Dodd Mead & Company" as printed on the half-title of the book. As Agatha Christie's "The Mousetrap" opened in 1952, the author did not want any distraction from the launch of her new play and so 'Three Blind Mice" was not published in the UK at the time. On his excellent website, Collecting Christie's expert, David Morris, explains his important discovery thus in 2024: "For book collectors, the hardback first edition of any Christie story is the one you seek. For this story, the only hardback books containing it ("Three Blind Mice") are those published in the US. According to Agatha Christie Limited's website the first edition is the US collection Three Blind Mice and Other Stories, published by Dodd, Mead & Co in February 1950. In addition, similar statements are found in most bibliographies – both published and online. These are inaccurate. The Newly Crowned First Edition: Recent research has shown me that the true first edition of this novella was actually printed in December 1948 – fourteen months earlier than Dodd Mead & Co. – by Walter J. Black’s The Detective Book Club imprint, in New York (US). On the title page, the Christie double states ‘Published by special arrangement with Dodd, Mead & Company’. In cites 1924 as the copyright date for Witness for the Prosecution and 1948 for Three Blind Mice. This double volume Christie is clearly the true first edition of Three Blind Mice." Octavo, measures 19 cm x 14 cm x 1.8 cm. Really fine oatmeal-coloured textured cloth with burgundy lettering to the spine, unusually printing the author's name twice but no mention of the publisher. Exceptionally clean, fresh copy - virtually unread. Interesting pagination too: "The Witness For The Prosecution" pages 3 -28, followed by "Three Blind Mice" - pages 3 - 91. The dustwrapper is a little tatty: small loss at the head of the spine, little nicks along bottom edge, a 3 cm closed tear to the back panel and a large piece missing from the top of the inner flap (starting on the top right of the front panel). Despite the condition of the dustwrapper, the book remains an absolute must-have for any Christie completist and fan of "The Mousetrap" Presented in a new mylar cover to offer protection and conservation to the brittle dustwrapper of this important, valuable and collectable book.…
Seller Inventory # 10068
Bibliographic details
- Title
- The Witness For The Prosecution and Three Blind Mice
- Author
- CHRISTIE, Agatha
- Publisher
- Walter J. Black , The Detective Book Club
- Publication year
- 1948
- Condition
- Fine
- Dust jacket
- Good
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Language
- English
- Edition
- 1st Edition
- Item weight
- 267 grams
- Seller catalogs
- Agatha Christie, Crime / Adventure
LEGACY RARE BOOKS
WOODHALL SPA, LINCS, United Kingdom
AbeBooks seller since November 13, 2020
Shipping rates from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
| Item | 14 to 45 business days | 5 to 10 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | £ 20.00 | £ 30.00 |
Payment methods
- Bank Wire Transfer
- Cash
- Check
Store description
Manor Collectables is based in a private Lincolnshire Manor House. It is owned and run by Richard Platt who has been buying and selling rare books for over forty years. Between 2003 and 2014, he was the proprietor of a award-winning bookshop in London. On offer is a small eclectic mixture of fiction and non-fiction items from the owner's private collection. Most books are first editions, many of which are unique and all listings are accompanied by high quality digital images.
Specialty
Mainly first editions in hardback of rare and collectable fiction and non-fictionSeller's business information
LEGACY RARE BOOKS
United Kingdom
Terms of sale
Manor Collectables,
Woodhall Spa Manor, Manor Estate, Woodhall Spa, Lincs. LN10 6PY, United Kingdom.
Proprietor: Richard Platt
Tel: 01526 352267
Right of withdrawal
If you are a consumer you can withdraw from the contract in accordance with the following. Consumer means any natural person who is acting for purposes which are outside his trade, business, craft or profession.
Information regarding the right of withdrawal
Statutory right to withdraw
You have the right to withdraw from this contract within 14 days without giving any reason.
The withdrawal period will expire after 14 days from the day on which you acquire, or a third party other than the carrier and indicated by you acquires, physical possession of the last good or the last lot or piece.
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To meet the withdrawal deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right of withdrawal before the withdrawal period has expired.
Effects of withdrawal
If you withdraw from this contract, we will reimburse to you all payments received from you, including the costs of delivery (except for the supplementary costs arising if you chose a type of delivery other than the least expensive type of standard delivery offered by us).
We may make a deduction from the reimbursement for loss in value of any goods supplied, if the loss is the result of unnecessary handling by you.
We will make the reimbursement without undue delay, and not later than 14 days after the day on which we are informed about your decision to withdraw from this contract.
We will make the reimbursement using the same means of payment as you used for the initial transaction, unless you have expressly agreed otherwise; in any event, you will not incur any fees as a result of such reimbursement.
We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back, or you have supplied evidence of having sent back the goods, whichever is the earliest.
You shall send back the goods or hand them over to LEGACY RARE BOOKS, WOODHALL SPA, LINCS, United Kingdom, +44 01526352267, without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from the day on which you communicate your withdrawal from this contract to us. The deadline is met if you send back the goods before the period of 14 days has expired. You will have to bear the direct cost of returning the goods. You are only liable for any diminished value of the goods resulting from the handling other than what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods.
Exceptions to the right of withdrawal
The right of withdrawal does not apply to:
- The delivery of newspapers, journals or magazines with the exception of subscription contracts; and
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Shipping terms
All shipped items are well packed. The UK orders are sent by signed-for delivery service. The overseas orders are sent according to your shipping choices. Courier service also available at extra cost. Orders are usually despatched within 2 business days. Shipping costs are based on books weighing 2.2 LB, or 1 KG. If your book order is heavier or oversized, we may contact you to let you know how much extra shipping is required.