The Witness For The Prosecution and Three Blind Mice

CHRISTIE, Agatha

Edité par Walter J. Black , The Detective Book Club, 1948

A propos de cet article

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.

N° de réf. du vendeur 10068

Détails bibliographiques

• Titre: The Witness For The Prosecution and Three Blind Mice
• Éditeur: Walter J. Black , The Detective Book Club
• Date de parution: 1948
• Langue: anglais
• Reliure: Hardcover
• Édition: 1st Edition
• État de l'article: Fine
• État de la jaquette: Good
• Poids: 267 grammes
• Catalogues du vendeur:
  • Agatha Christie
  • Crime / Adventure