Clubfoot the Avenger, Valentine Williams — 4th Printing
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Publication: London, Herbert Jenkins Limited, 1924
Formatting: 8vo, pp. [viii], 312, [8].
Condition Report: Good. The original publisher’s green cloth binding remains structurally sound and tight, ensuring the integrity of the volume over the last century. The spine exhibits moderate sunning and slight rolling, with light rubbing and crimping to the extremities, though the black-stamped lettering and the striking front board illustration of the two figures remain notably bold and unrubbed. Internally, there is prominent foxing, most heavily concentrated on the preliminary leaves, the terminal advertisements, and the text block edges, which are age-darkened. Despite this spotting, the primary text remains clean and highly legible throughout. The endpapers display some offsetting, but there are no previous ownership signatures or notable tears, making this a highly presentable and sturdy reading copy.
Catalogue Note: This is a fourth printing of Valentine Williams's classic interwar espionage thriller, originally published by Herbert Jenkins. Completing a run of 23,000 copies, this edition retains the distinctive and vibrant publisher’s cloth binding that characterised the era's popular fiction, complete with the iconic Herbert Jenkins Pegasus logo stamped to the rear board. The volume includes an eight-page catalogue of publisher's advertisements at the rear, offering a fascinating glimpse into the literary market of the 1920s.
While true first editions of Williams's early works command significant premiums on the open market, early contemporary printings such as this—especially those maintaining their original, un-restored bindings—are an uncommon find. They present an accessible yet authentic piece of British thriller history.
In Clubfoot the Avenger, Valentine Williams resurrects his most formidable creation: the sinister and masterful German secret agent, Dr. Adolph Grundt, known infamously as "Clubfoot." Bent on wreaking vengeance against the British Secret Service agents who previously thwarted his nefarious schemes, Grundt sets his sights on brothers Francis and Desmond Okewood. As the action sweeps across Europe, the Okewoods find themselves entangled in a deadly game of cat and mouse, racing to frustrate Clubfoot's designs, recover a packet of foreign jewels, and outwit one of literature's most truculent adversaries. A quintessential tale of derring-do and espionage, this novel is a thrilling continuation of a classic series.
Book Condition: Good
Book Authors: Valentine Williams
Book Publisher: Herbert Jenkins Limited
Book Language: English
Narrative Type: Fiction
Genre: Crime & Mystery
Book edition:
Signed: No
Book Pages: 312
Book Publication Year: 1924
Book Publication Date:
Book Binding: Hardcover
Illustrator: N/A
Book Series: Clubfoot
Country/region of manufacture: London, United Kingdom
Book Dimensions:
Book Condition Guide
| 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. |
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