One of the Most Influential Detective Novels Ever Written and the First Appearance of Sam Spade in Dust Jacket
Maltese Falcon.
New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1930.
Full Description:
HAMMETT, Dashiell. The Maltese Falcon. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1930.
First edition. Octavo (7 7/16 x 5 1/8 inches; 188 x 131 mm). [4, blank], [8], 267, [1], [4, blank] pp. In second issue dust jacket with the $2.50 price and reviews on the front flap.
Original light gray cloth decoratively stamped in dark grayish blue and black on front cover and spine. Front cover stamped with a falcon. Publisher's symbol in black on back board. Top edge stained dark blue, others uncut. Spine and board edges a bit darkened. Board edges a bit rubbed. In the near fine second issue, unrestored dust jacket. Front flap with corner crease and back panel with some minimal soiling. Overall a very good or better copy.
The Maltese Falcon was "one of the first examples of hard-boiled fiction, and it marked the first appearance of Hammett's famous private eye, Sam Spade. Dealing with the theft of a jewel-encrusted falcon, which originally belonged to the Knights Templars, the story was as romantic in content as it was realistic and tough in manner. It was filmed three times, and in the version by John Huston (1941), the story became one of the great examples of Film Noir" (Benet’s Reader's Encyclopedia).
The Maltese Falcon was first published in five parts in Black Mask between September 1929 and January 1930.
Layman A3.1.a.
HBS 69686.
$22,500.
Price: $22,500.00
Item #69686