The John Riddell Murder Case: A Philo Vance Parody

Published by Charles Scribner's Sons, New York, 1930

  • First Edition
  • Signed
  • Softcover
  • Used
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Seller: Main Street Fine Books & Mss, ABAA, Galena, IL, U.S.A.Main Street Fine Books & Mss, ABAA

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AbeBooks seller since March 11, 1998

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Softcover

Condition: Used

£ 150.52

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Item description from seller

Illustrations by Miguel Covarrubias. Small 8vo. Yellow leather-textured paper over boards with black spine lettering and front board graphic. viii, 318pp. Frontispiece, 10 full-page plates, floor plan. Good plus overall. While text block is super tight and bright and near fine, front and rear boards are age toned and spine is intact and stable but quite rough -- darkened, heavily chipped at head and tail, and homely. A tight and decent first edition of this scarce tongue-in-cheek satire in which (to cite title page) "Victim died of acute boredom in his own library. Body discovered surrounded by the past year's Best Sellers" and the suspects include "Theodore Dreiser, Jim Tully, Sherwood Anderson, Will Rogers, Peggy Hopkins Joyce, Calvin Coolidge, Katherine Brush, Richard Halliburton, Will Durant, Rudy Vallee, W.R. Burnett, and other contemporary authors found on the scene of the crime." What makes this copy is special is a choice autograph addition: Tipped to front flyleaf is an Autograph Note Signed from author Riddell (Corey Ford), 1p, 7" X 10", Freedom, NH, n.y. Addressed to Arnold F. Gates (1914-93, noted Lincoln/Civil War scholar). Very good. Faint original horizontal folds. Gracious note to an admirer "for your friendly birthday wishes and thoughtfulness. and for the nice things you said. I've been dabbling in the Hollywood flesh-bois too long, but I hope I'm back at work at last." Boldly penned in black ink in Ford's interesting script. What makes this copy extra special is that the salmon-colored "Sporting Offer" sheet that wraps around the rear flyleaf and final text page remains UNBROKEN. This invariably-opened sheet, which reveals the murderer, promises that "We make this sporting offer. Return this book with the seal intact -- and you are out $2.50. Break it -- and the mystery is over. Either way, you lose." Ford (1902-69), a.k.a. John Riddell, was a prolific American humorist and outdoorsy writer.

Seller Inventory # 43469

Bibliographic details

Title
The John Riddell Murder Case: A Philo Vance Parody
Author
RIDDELL, John (Corey Ford)
Publisher
Charles Scribner's Sons, New York
Publication year
1930
Signed
Signed by Author(s)
Binding
Soft cover
Edition
1st Edition
Seller catalogs
Books, Mystery & Detective

Main Street Fine Books & Mss, ABAA

Galena, IL, U.S.A.

5-star seller

AbeBooks seller since March 11, 1998

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Store description

Main Street Fine Books & Manuscripts has been buying and selling quality books, autographs and ephemera since 1991. We specialize in general antiquarian, first editions, signed books and autographs and documents. We are members of the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America (ABAA), Midwest Antiquarian Booksellers Association (MWABA), Universal Autograph Collectors Club (UACC) and The Manuscript Society.

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Americana, Civil War, Abraham Lincoln, U.S. Grant, American History, Literature, Military History, Autographs, Letters, Documents, Historical Manuscripts, General Antiquarian and O.P.

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  • Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America
  • Midwest Antiquarian Booksellers Association
  • International League of Antiquarian Booksellers
Members of these associations are committed to maintaining the highest standards. They vouch for the authenticity of all items offered for sale. They provide expert and detailed descriptions, disclose all significant defects and/or restorations, provide clear and accurate pricing, and operate with fairness and honesty during the purchase experience.

Seller's business information

Main Street Fine Books & Manuscripts, Ltd.

9304 Saturn Ln
Galena, IL U.S.A. 61036