The Case of the Singing Skirt, Erle Stanley Gardner — 1st UK Edition

Publication: London, William Heinemann Ltd, 1965

Formatting: 8vo, pp. [vi], 224.

Condition Report: Very Good. The black cloth binding maintains its structural integrity, remaining firm with no major flaws to the boards or spine, exhibiting only minor bumping to the spine ends. The gilt tooling on the spine remains notably bright and unoxidised. The text block is square, and the hinges are solid. Internally, the pages are crisp, though there is mild dust-toning and faint foxing present to the top edge of the text block and lightly scattered across the endpapers. The original unclipped dust jacket (retaining the 15s NET price on the front flap) remains fully intact but shows typical signs of careful handling, including moderate shelf-wear, mild rubbing to the panels, shallow chipping at the head and tail of the spine, and minor creasing along the extremities. The jacket's spine panel is slightly sun-toned compared to the front, and faint foxing is visible on the inner flaps.

Catalogue Note: First UK Edition. Published by William Heinemann Ltd in 1965 (following the 1959 US copyright), this true first UK printing is bound in the publisher's original black cloth and retains its striking, photographically illustrated dust jacket in unclipped condition.

Gardner’s UK editions from this era, particularly when retaining their original jackets, have become increasingly sought after by Golden Age mystery collectors. While later printings and UK Book Club editions (which often lack the price on the flap) frequently appear, locating a true Heinemann first printing with a vibrant, unclipped jacket in solid, collectible condition is uncommon on the open market. The distinctive jacket art, featuring a fractured glass motif over a woman's face on the front panel and a photographic portrait on the rear, epitomises the mid-century crime-noir aesthetic.

When singer Ellen Robb arrives at Perry Mason's office, she claims she is being framed by her employer, a shady casino operator, because she refused to help him fleece a wealthy customer. The customer had recently dropped nearly $10,000 at the gambling establishment and then done his best to pick up Ellen. When the customer's wife, who was none too pleased with either shenanigan, ends up dead as a herring, Ellen becomes the prime suspect. While Della Street warns that Ellen is too beautiful to be trusted, Mason decides to uncover the truth by switching guns on his own client. This dangerous gamble triggers a series of explosive revelations that threaten to blast him right out of court. The Case of the Singing Skirt showcases Gardner's signature rapid-fire dialogue, intricate legal manoeuvring, and masterful courtroom drama.