The Singing Bone, R. Austin Freeman —1st Paperback Edition
£150 · Offered by eBay
First edition
Publication: London, Hodder and Stoughton, 1913 Formatting: 8vo, pp. N/A. Condition Report: Good. For an ephemeral paperbound volume of this vintage, the preservation is highly commendable, though it exhibits the expected wear inherent to the format. The illustrated paper wrappers remain remarkably bright and visually striking, displaying minor edge-rubbing, mild creasing across the panels, subtle chipping at the spine ends, and a small closed tear at the lower front joint. The binding remains largely sound but delicate. Internally, the cheap paper stock has inevitably tanned, though the leaves are crisp and clean, unmarked save for a neat contemporary ownership inscription ['W. J. Warner / June 1914'] in ink to the upper margin of the preface page. Catalogue Note: This is the scarce first paperbound edition of Freeman’s landmark collection, published as part of Hodder & Stoughton’s ‘Famous Sixpenny Novels’ series. Originally issued in cloth in 1912, this 1913 edition is of paramount importance to the history of detective fiction. It is in this volume that Freeman pioneered the 'inverted detective story' format. By first presenting the crime from the perpetrator’s perspective, allowing the reader to witness the act, the motives, and the concealing of evidence, Freeman shifted the narrative focus from 'who did it?' to 'how will they be caught?'. This reversed approach allowed his series detective, Dr. John Thorndyke, to demonstrate his pioneering forensic and scientific method
- Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton
- Year: 1913
- Binding: Paperback
- Condition: Good
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