Death and Mr Prettyman, Kenneth Giles — 1st Edition

£79.95

Death and Mr Prettyman, Kenneth Giles — 1st Edition

Name: Death and Mr Prettyman, Kenneth Giles — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 4029
Price: 79.95 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication London, Victor Gollancz Ltd, 1967

Formatting 8vo, pp. 192.

Condition Report Near Fine. The original red cloth boards are remarkably clean, square, and tight, with sharp corners and un-bumped board edges that exhibit virtually no shelf-wear. The gilt tooling on the spine remains entirely bright and unoxidised, and the red top-stain to the text block is wonderfully vibrant. The text block is square and firmly bound; internally, the pages are crisp and clean, with only very minor, typical age-toning and faint spotting confined to the top edge. The iconic yellow dust jacket is present, unclipped (retaining the original 21/- net price on the front flap), and extremely well-preserved. It shows only minimal rubbing to the spine ends and very faint age-toning to the yellow paper, while the signature red and black typography remains bold and unfaded. Overall, a highly attractive, tightly bound copy.

Catalogue Note This is a First Edition of Kenneth Giles's fifth thriller, presented in the publisher's original red cloth binding and the trademark Gollancz typographic yellow dust jacket.

The volume features a neat, contemporary reader's manuscript annotation in ink to the title page, dated 30/12/68, offering a brief, period-authentic review of the narrative.

Vintage Gollancz thrillers from this era are increasingly prone to heavy spine sunning, library stamps, and loss to the fragile paper dust jackets. Consequently, discovering a true first printing in such bright, securely bound, and un-restored condition is scarce on the open market.

A dense, positively Dickensian fog has descended upon London, cloaking a sinister wave of serial murders that has left the city terrified. Acting Inspector Harry James is thrust into a baffling investigation when Mr Prettyman, a respectable lawyer from Kent, is found dead in the Inns of Court with a black-handled knife in his back; the twelfth such victim in just three weeks. As panic grips the capital and whispers of a "Jack the Ripper in reverse" begin to spread, Giles masterfully weaves a tense, atmospheric, and distinctly eccentric whodunit.

Book Condition: Near Fine

Book Authors: Kenneth Giles

Book Publisher: Victor Gollancz Ltd

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Crime & Mystery

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 192

Book Publication Year: 1967

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: Inspector Harry James

Country/region of manufacture: Gateshead, 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.