c1942
144pp.
Jarrolds, London.

A scarce early edition of this controversial novel from British crime write, James Hadley Chase, in notably bright condition. 

559th thousand. All early editions are scarce. Undated, dated from a copy held at The British Library. First published in 1939.

In the original scarce unclipped dust wrapper priced at 6s. A rare survival in this condition due to the war time economy paper. 

The novel became particularly popular with servicemen during the Second World War, selling half a million copies within the first five years. The novel was however considered controversial due to its explicit violence and sexual content; indeed, George Orwell wrote an essay on the work titled ‘Raffles and Miss Blandish’ in which he described it as obscene. 

In the original cloth binding in the original unclipped dust wrapper. Externally in excellent condition with slight bumping to the extremities. Slightly cocked. Dust wrapper is very smart with slight chipping to the extremities, more significant to the head and tail of the spine. Handling marks to the wrap. Internally firmly bound. Pages bright and clean with just marginal age toning due to paper used.

Grading: NEAR FINE in a VERY GOOD INDEED dust wrapper.