THE RED THUMB MARK
New York: Dodd, Mead & Company, 1924. Attractive copy of Freeman's first novel, introducing the public to Dr. John Thorndyke, whose scientific approach to detection was something of a departure in the genre during this period. Thorndyke attempts to clear the name of a young man who stands accused of stealing diamonds from a safe; a fingerprint near the scene of the crime is the only evidence against him, but proves decidedly damning. More than likely the only jacketed edition of this Haycraft-Queen Cornerstone title one is likely to encounter; we have never seen either the 1907 Collingwood or 1911 Newton editions in dustjacket. Hubin, p.153. Item #4295
First Printing of the Dodd, Mead edition, preceded in the U.S. by the 1911 edition published by Newton. Octavo (19.25cm); black cloth, with titling and decorations stamped in red on spine and front cover; dustjacket; x,305,[5]pp. Spine ends gently nudged, top edge slightly dusty, with a few old pencil notations to front pastedown, else clean throughout; Near Fine. Dustjacket is unclipped (priced $2.00), gently spine-sunned and lightly dust-soiled, with a few tiny nicks and tears, and a small, shallow loss at upper right corner of spine panel; a substantially complete and unrestored example; Very Good+.
Price: $2,500.00