Mystery Stories.
New York: Simon & Schuster, 1956. Hardcover. Small 8vo. Black cloth with gilt spine lettering, decorative price-clipped dust jacket. xvi, 237pp. Near fine/very good. Text block typically, moderately age toned; jacket lightly edgeworn. Item #48173
Quite nice, quite tight first edition of this noted mystery writer's first short story collection, introduced by Ellery Queen. The sixth of these ten tales, "The Best of Everything," was turned into the 1964 British comedy film "Nothing but the Best," and this unique copy bears two fine autograph additions: Tipped to the front flyleaf (recto and verso) are fine signatures on matching heavy stock 5" X 3" cards of two of that film's co-stars: At top of front flyleaf is HARRY ANDREWS, who signs boldly in red ballpoint and dates it 17 June 1971 at upper right; at top verso of this same leaf is MILLICENT MARTIN, who signs hugely in blue fineline and dates it 14 April 1971 at upper right. Andrews (1911-89) portrays Mr. Horton in this film and Martin (born 1934) portrays Ann Horton. Laid in are the perfect bookmarks: Andrews and Martin's original transmittal envelopes. Intriguingly unusual copy! QUEEN'S QUORUM #113.
Price: $195.00