THE THIRD MAN AND THE FALLEN IDOL - INSCRIBED TO CLIVE HIRSCHHORN
London: William Heinemann Ltd., 1950. First UK Edition. First hardcover edition, and the first time Greene's novelization of his famous screenplay saw print. "Pulp novelist Holly Martins travels to shadowy, postwar Vienna, only to find himself investigating the mysterious death of an old friend, black-market opportunist Harry Lime – and thus begins this legendary tale of love, deception, and murder." Basis for the Oscar-winning 1949 film directed by Carol Reed, starring Orson Welles and Joseph Cotten. Wobbe A23.a; Criterion 64. Item #7538
First Impression. Octavo (18.75cm); black cloth, with titles stamped in silver on spine; dustjacket; [vi],[2],3-188,[2]pp. Inscribed by the author on the title page to South African author, critic, and bibliophile Clive Hirschhorn: "For Clive / from Graham Greene." Subtle tanning to the edges of the half-title page, else a fresh, Fine copy. Dustjacket is unclipped (priced 6s. net), gently spine-sunned, showing modest shelfwear, several tiny nicks and tears, with the adhesive residue of an old sticker affecting upper right corner of front panel and upper left corner of front flap. Housed in a custom half-morocco clamshell case.
Price: $5,500.00