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The Mystery of a Hansom Cab
by Fergus W. Hume
- Used
- Very Good
- Paperback
- first
- Condition
- Very Good
- Seller
-
BATH, Somerset, United Kingdom
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
London: The Hansom Cab Publishing Company, 1888. Paperback. Very Good. 7.5" by 5". None. The first UK edition of one of the most popular and important mystery novels ever written, a Melbourne based mystery by Fergus Hume. A lovely copy of this, the one-hundred and seventy-fifth thousand. This is the first UK edition of this work printed originally in Australia. Rarely seen in this condition as this work was so popular it was often passed around to be read by friends and is in quite a thin paper binding. This novel was such a sensational hit that 25,000 copies were published a month in England from July 1887 onwards, this printing being from January 1888. The work was so popular that is outsold the first Sherlock Holmes novel, 'A Study in Scarlet', selling so many copies that it became the best-selling mystery novel of the Victorian era.'The Mystery of a Hansom Cab' is an Australian mystery novel, first published in Australia 1886, and England in 1887.Set in Melbourne, the mystery focuses on a murder, in which a body is discovered in a hansom cab. Though being a gripping mystery the novel is woven with an exploration with the class divide in the city as well.By Fergus Hume, a prolific novelist who is best known for this work. This novel was based on his knowledge of Little Bourke Street. The first edition was self-published, but Hume sold the rights for fifty pounds before it saw great success, and didn't benefit from the financial popularity.Adverts to the wraps and endpapers. In the original publisher's wraps. Externally, smart. A little rusting to the staples on the wraps, and to the first few pages. Some light marks to the wraps. Minor edge wear, with a small amount of loss to the head and tail of the spine. Rear wrap is lifting a little to the tail. Light spots to the fore edge. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright and clean, with a few scattered spots to the first and last few pages. Pencil notes to the reverse of the title page which could be erased if required. Very Good
Synopsis
The Mystery of a Hansom Cab is a mystery fiction novel by English writer Fergus Hume. One of the earliest pieces of detective fiction, the book was first published in Australia in 1886. Set in Melbourne, the story focuses on the investigation of a homicide involving a body discovered in a hansom cab, as well as an exploration into the social class divide in the city.
Read More: Identifying first editions of The Mystery of a Hansom Cab
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Details
- Bookseller
- Rooke Books
(GB)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 819P33
- Title
- The Mystery of a Hansom Cab
- Author
- Fergus W. Hume
- Illustrator
- None
- Format/Binding
- Paperback
- Book Condition
- Used - Very Good
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Publisher
- The Hansom Cab Publishing Company
- Place of Publication
- London
- Date Published
- 1888
- Size
- 7.5" by 5"
- Keywords
- The Mystery of a Hansom Cab mystery murder mysteyr melbourne mystery fergus w. hume
Terms of Sale
Rooke Books
Books are sent on approval and may be returned in like condition for any reason within 14 days of receipt. Responsibility of return to be with the purchaser.
About the Seller
Rooke Books
Biblio member since 2007
BATH, Somerset
About Rooke Books
Welcome to Rooke Books Antiquarian Bookseller
We are a small team dedicated to bringing you very scarce books at reasonable prices. We specialise in rare and hard to come by works on all subjects over the last 500 years, together with modern first editions and decorative sets and bindings. Our library has something for every interest and specialism. We deliver worldwide using a fully tracked and insured courier delivery service.
Where are We?
Based in the literary city of Bath, our offices are housed in the Eastern Dispensary. Built in 1845, the building originally existed as a charitable institution providing medical care. The building now houses our collection of over twenty thousand books and has five full time members of staff.
We are a small team dedicated to bringing you very scarce books at reasonable prices. We specialise in rare and hard to come by works on all subjects over the last 500 years, together with modern first editions and decorative sets and bindings. Our library has something for every interest and specialism. We deliver worldwide using a fully tracked and insured courier delivery service.
Where are We?
Based in the literary city of Bath, our offices are housed in the Eastern Dispensary. Built in 1845, the building originally existed as a charitable institution providing medical care. The building now houses our collection of over twenty thousand books and has five full time members of staff.
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- Title Page
- A page at the front of a book which may contain the title of the book, any subtitles, the authors, contributors, editors, the...
- First Edition
- In book collecting, the first edition is the earliest published form of a book. A book may have more than one first edition in...
- Fore Edge
- The portion of a book that is opposite the spine. That part of a book which faces the wall when shelved in a traditional...
- Tail
- The heel of the spine.
- Spine
- The outer portion of a book which covers the actual binding. The spine usually faces outward when a book is placed on a shelf....
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