Cassell's Magazine, Illustrated: June to November, 1902

£400.00

Cassell's Magazine, Illustrated: June to November, 1902

Name: Cassell's Magazine, Illustrated: June to November, 1902
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 4764
Price: 400.00 GBP
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Cassell's Magazine, Illustrated: June to November, 1902, Clifford Ashdown (R. Austin Freeman & John James Pitcairn), et al. — First Appearance

Publication: London, Cassell and Company, Limited, 1902

Formatting: Large 8vo, pp. iv, 668.

Condition Report Fair. The volume's most prominent defect is a vintage repair to the spine, which has been entirely rebacked and overlaid with a red cloth tape that overlaps slightly onto the boards. The original red publisher’s boards exhibit moderate rubbing and shelf-wear, with some bumping to the corners and slight darkening to the extremities. Internally, the text block remains remarkably sound and tight. The pages are generally clean, displaying only age-appropriate edge-tanning and occasional minor handling marks. Despite the external repair, the structural integrity of the binding holds firmly, safely preserving the scarce and highly desirable contents within.

Catalogue Note This bound periodical volume is of exceptional significance to collectors of early detective and crime fiction, as it contains the true first appearance of The Adventures of Romney Pringle. Co-authored by R. Austin Freeman and John James Pitcairn under the joint pseudonym Clifford Ashdown, these six stories were serialised here between June and November 1902, complete with the original and striking illustrations by Fred Pegram.

The subsequent standalone book edition, published later in 1902 by Ward, Lock & Co., is legendary within the genre and is widely regarded by bibliographers and authorities as one of the rarest volumes in the entire canon of detective fiction. Consequently, this original serialised state represents a scarce, viable alternative for completists, capturing Freeman’s debut in published fiction and his pioneering foray into the inverted rogue narrative. Notably, the volume also contains a series of non-fiction essays by Freeman regarding British lighthouses.

Predating R. Austin Freeman's legendary scientific detective Dr. John Thorndyke, The Adventures of Romney Pringle inverts the traditional Edwardian crime narrative by placing the reader alongside a charming, amoral rogue. Romney Pringle is a suave gentleman swindler who operates under the guise of a legitimate literary agent, employing brilliant disguises, elaborate confidence tricks, and a strict non-violent code to relieve other, often far worse, criminals of their ill-gotten gains. A masterful blend of ingenious scheming and sharp social observation, these early stories present a captivating anti-hero whose exploits continue to fascinate enthusiasts of golden-age mystery and classic rogue literature.

Book Condition: Fair

Book Authors: Clifford Ashdown (R. Austin Freeman & John James Pitcairn), et al.

Book Publisher: Cassell and Company, Limited

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Antiquarian

Genre: Crime & Mystery

Book edition: First Published

Signed: No

Book Pages: 668

Book Publication Year: 1902

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: Fred Pegram, et al.

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: London, United Kingdom

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

We stock thousands of books in a wide range of conditions. To make things clear and to help you know exactly what to expect, Please refer to these condition categories to understand the condition of the book you will receive.

Condition	Description
New	A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage.
As New	The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years.
Fine	The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked.
Near Fine	The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition.
Very Good	The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present.
Good	A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy.
Fair	A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity.
Poor	A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance.