Death on the Pack Road, Henry Andover — 1st Edition

£250.00

Death on the Pack Road, Henry Andover — 1st Edition

Name: Death on the Pack Road, Henry Andover — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 5852
Price: 250.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, Eyre and Spottiswoode, 1931.

Formatting: 8vo, pp. [viii], 256.

Condition Report: Very Good. The volume presents very handsomely in its original brown cloth binding, though the spine exhibits a degree of sun-fading typical for the era, with the black lettering remaining distinctly legible. The boards are pleasingly clean with only the most trivial shelf-wear to the extremities, showing no bumped corners or fraying. The binding is remarkably square and tightly bound, maintaining a solid structural integrity without any looseness to the hinges. Internally, the pages are crisp, bright, and completely free from any distracting foxing or previous moisture damage. For preservation, the book is currently housed in a clear protective acetate wrapper featuring a custom paper 'SIGNED' band.

Catalogue Note: A remarkably scarce first edition of the author's debut novel, standing as a virtually unprocurable piece of Golden Age detective fiction. The book features a classic mystery-genre map frontispiece, a beloved convention of the period, depicting the fictionalised topography of Ewedale, Dunsdale, and the titular Pack Road.

This particular copy is significantly elevated by a contemporary presentation inscription from the author on the front free endpaper, dated December 1931. It reads: "With the compliments of the Author, Henry Hope ('Henry Andover')". Such an inscription is exceptionally desirable for collectors, as it definitively links the author's true identity to his chosen pseudonym in his own hand. Above the author's inscription is the neat pencilled name of a previous owner, L.L.S. Porter Esq. The volume is notably lacking its original dust jacket, but survives in an excellent state of preservation.

Set against the isolated, meticulously mapped landscape of Ewedale and the ominous 'Pack Road', this rare mystery plunges readers into a quintessential Golden Age whodunit. When tragedy shatters a quiet rural community, an intricate web of cast-iron alibis, discarded weapons, and long-buried secrets must be painstakingly untangled. Rich in atmospheric period detail and traditional deductive sleuthing, Henry Andover's debut novel remains a captivating and elusive masterclass in the English countryside murder mystery.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Henry Andover (Henry Hope)

Book Publisher: Eyre and Spottiswoode

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Crime & Mystery

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: Yes

Book Pages: 256

Book Publication Year: 1931

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

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.