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DETECTIVE FICTION
4 vols., 12mo (147 × 90 mm.), pp. xxii, [ii], 237, [1]; [iii]-[xii], 266; [iii], xii, 251, [1]; [iii], xii, 275, [1], bound without half-titles to vols. 2-4 (present in the first vol). Publisher’s green cloth, printed spine labels. Lightly rubbed, corners just bumped, but a nice set.
Vidocq is recognised as the first detective novel, though it is loosely based on the real career of criminal-turned-investigator Vidocq. It first appeared in French in 1828-9 and in English in the same years. The first English edition was published by Hunt and Clarke and carried the additional name of Whittaker only in the two later volumes. It also contained a frontispiece portrait, not present here. Our issue, apparently using the sheets of the first English edition contains titles obviously tipped-in as cancels, bearing the name “Whittaker and Co.” in all volumes. We have been unable to find records for this undated imprint in any of the catalogues consulted, though Whittaker also issued a dated edition of all four volumes in 1830, apparently without a portrait, as here.
This issue not found in COPAC or OCLC, but the BL holds a set with the same imprint.
£400.00
(equal to approx. US$632.67* or €495.78* for 19 May 2012)
* Dollar and Euro prices are given as a guideline only. The actual exchange rate may vary according to your payment option.
