THE SMELL OF FEAR - UNCORRECTED PROOF COPY
London: Hamish Hamilton Ltd., 1965. First Edition. Uncorrected proof copy of this late collection comprised of 14 stories, most of which first appeared in the pages of Black Mask, The Daily Mail, and Manhunt, and many of which cemented Chandler's prowess as a master of the short form. Prior to the publication of this volume, "Blackmailers Don't Shoot" and "The Pencil" had not previously appeared in the UK in book form. Uncommon in this format. Bruccoli AA11.1.a; Hubin, p.75. Item #7392
First Impression, with no American equivalent. Octavo (21cm); original yellow wrappers, with titles printed in red on front cover, and written by hand vertically along the spine; [8],9-538,[2]pp. Modest wear, sunning to spine, a few tears at crown, with moderate hand-soil and some, old, scattered stains to wrappers; a few tiny ink and pencil notations to half-title, else contents clean; a Very Good copy, with an invoice from a London bookseller (dated March, 1977) folded and laid in.
Price: $850.00