The Mystery of a Hansom Cab

by Fergus W. Hume

$1,263 · Offered by Biblio

First edition

London: The Hansom Cab Publishing Company , 1887. First edition. Paperback. Good. 7" by 5". None. The first UK edition of this best-selling mystery novel of the Victorian era, from Fergus Hume. First UK edition, early impression with one hundred and seventy-fifth thousand on the title page. First (self)published by the author in Melbourne in 1886.In the original illustrated wraps, the rear cover detached but present. With advertisements to the wraps and rear endpaper. This Melbourne-based mystery follows a homicide investigation involving a body found in a hansom cab, as well as an exploration into the social class divide in the city. After finding success in Australia (selling 100,000 copies in the first two print runs) the book then went on to sell over half a million copies worldwide, even outselling the first of Arthur Conan Doyle s Sherlock Holmes novels, A Study in Scarlet. From British writer Fergus Hume, whose parents emigrated to New Zealand when he was 6 months old. At 25 he moved to Melbourne where he lived for 3 years.The early printing of the UK edition of this famous detective novel. In the original illustrated wraps, the rear cover detached but present. Externally, front cover has come away from staple binding but remains attached. Wraps are slightly discoloured, with a couple handling marks and spots. Edge wear to the wraps and loss to the tail of the spine. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are generally bright and clean, with the odd spot and toning to the end

• Publisher: The Hansom Cab Publishing Company
• Year: 1887
• Edition: First Edition
• Binding: paperback

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