The Valley of Fear, A. Conan Doyle — 1st Edition, 2nd Impression

£195.00

The Valley of Fear, A. Conan Doyle — 1st Edition, 2nd Impression

Name: The Valley of Fear, A. Conan Doyle — 1st Edition, 2nd Impression
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 4190-SD-F-VG-4
Price: 195.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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£195.00

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Publication: London, Smith, Elder & Co., 1915

Formatting: 8vo, pp. [viii], 306, [6] advertisements.

Condition Report: Very Good. Original publisher's red cloth binding remains structurally sound and tight, though the spine exhibits noticeable sun-darkening and fading, dulling the gilt lettering. Extremities, particularly the spine's head and tail, show moderate bumping and rubbing consistent with normal shelf-wear. Internally, the text block is securely bound, but the preliminary and terminal leaves, as well as several pages throughout the text, display scattered foxing and age-toning. A neat contemporary ownership inscription dated 1915 is present on the front free endpaper, alongside a small vintage bookseller's ticket for B.H. Blackwell of Oxford affixed to the front pastedown. The frontispiece and its protective tissue guard remain intact and well-preserved.

Catalogue Note: Second impression, First UK edition. Issued in the same year as the true first printing, this edition retains the identical red cloth binding with blind-stamped borders and gilt titling, as well as the six pages of publisher's advertisements at the rear. It features the striking frontispiece by Frank Wiles, depicting Sherlock Holmes with the caption "The greatest schemer of all time," still protected by its original tissue guard.

The book bears a charming piece of provenance in the form of a small, contemporary bookseller's ticket from the historic B.H. Blackwell on Broad Street, Oxford. Accompanied by a 1915 ownership inscription, these markings place the book in the hands of an early reader shortly after its publication. Early 1915 impressions like this one remain highly sought-after by Holmes collectors for their identical presentation and historical proximity to the story's debut.

The Valley of Fear is the fourth and final Sherlock Holmes novel written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The narrative plunges the legendary detective and Dr. Watson into a baffling murder mystery at a Sussex manor, sparked by a cryptic warning from an informant tied to the criminal mastermind Professor Moriarty. As Holmes unravels the gruesome death of John Douglas, the story spectacularly shifts focus across the Atlantic to the Vermissa Valley—a treacherous coal-mining region in America ruled by a ruthless secret society known as the Scowrers. Blending a classic English country-house murder with a gritty, hard-boiled American thriller, this late-career masterpiece showcases Conan Doyle at the height of his storytelling powers.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: A. Conan Doyle

Book Publisher: Smith, Elder & Co.

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Crime & Mystery

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 312

Book Publication Year: 1915

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Cloth

Illustrator: Frank Wiles

Book Series: Sherlock Holmes

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.