{"product_id":"cassells-magazine-illustrated-june-to-november-1902","title":"Cassell's Magazine, Illustrated: June to November, 1902","description":"\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"1\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eCassell's Magazine, Illustrated: June to November, 1902, Clifford Ashdown (R. Austin Freeman \u0026amp; John James Pitcairn), et al. — First Appearance\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"2\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublication\u003c\/strong\u003e: London, Cassell and Company, Limited, 1902\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"3\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormatting\u003c\/strong\u003e: Large 8vo, pp. iv, 668.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"4\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"4\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eCondition Report\u003c\/b\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"5\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"5\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eCatalogue Note\u003c\/b\u003e This bound periodical volume is of exceptional significance to collectors of early detective and crime fiction, as it contains the true first appearance of \u003ci data-path-to-node=\"5\" data-index-in-node=\"171\"\u003eThe Adventures of Romney Pringle\u003c\/i\u003e. 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"6\"\u003eThe subsequent standalone book edition, published later in 1902 by Ward, Lock \u0026amp; 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"7\"\u003ePredating R. Austin Freeman's legendary scientific detective Dr. John Thorndyke, \u003ci data-path-to-node=\"7\" data-index-in-node=\"87\"\u003eThe Adventures of Romney Pringle\u003c\/i\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Broadhursts Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54389395620179,"sku":"4764","price":400.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0960\/1469\/6787\/files\/20260717_201721.jpg?v=1784833429","url":"https:\/\/broadhurstsbooks.com\/products\/cassells-magazine-illustrated-june-to-november-1902","provider":"Broadhursts Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}