First edition, first impression. 254pp, with occasional black and white illustrations. Black cloth boards, gilt motif on upper panel and gilt lettering to spine. 8vo. There is a small, mild mark on the cloth on the upper panel, else volume is neat, clean, bright and tight throughout. In its original unclipped dust jacket, lightly bumped on edges and a little shelf worn. Dust wrapper now protected in an archival-quality Mylar sleeve, fitted without the use of tape or adhesives.
A scarce edition of R Austin Freeman's previously unpublished draft of a work which was published in 1911 as The Eye of Orisis. It includes illustrations, a monochrome portrait of Austin Freeman and an afterword comparing this version of the Dr Thorndyke story to the 1911 published edition.
Richard Austin Freeman (1862- 1943) was an English crime- writer. His claim to have invented the crime fiction genre known as ‘inverted’ detective stories – where the commission of the crime, and usually the identity of the perpetrator, is revealed at the beginning, with the plot then focussing on how the detective gets his man – has some substance but is not uncontested. He was prolific, popular and wielded much influence over the crime genre, dominating scientific detective fiction for a good part of the early 20th century. His novels continue to be read by a diminished but loyal audience and have been translated onto stage, screen and radio many times.
