The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, Arthur Conan Doyle, 1894 first edition

This work by Arthur Conan Doyle was a collection of Sherlock Holmes short stories from Strand magazine, originally intended to be Holmes' final outing in print. His 'death'  at Reichenbach Falls being illustrated in the frontispiece image by Sidney Paget. However, due to public demand, he went on to write the novel 'The Hound of the Baskervilles' set before the last of these stories 'The Final Problem', and then returned with a new series entitled 'The Return of Sherlock Holmes' which began where 'The Final Problem' left off, and what really happened to Sherlock Holmes is revealed...

The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by A. Conan Doyle (Arthur Conan Doyle). Illustrations by Sidney Paget.

Published by George Newnes, Limited, London. First edition, 1894.

A good minus blue cloth hardback with gilt titles to front and spine, in the original Publisher's cloth with 'The Strand Library' vignette printed in black to front cover. A worn and imperfect copy, but which is largely complete, except for one endpaper, making it desirable nonetheless, and priced commensurate to condition.

Covers scuffed, bumped, rubbed and worn, with some soiling. Gilt on spine is rubbed and worn, and head and tail of spine are frayed and nicked. With floral patterned endpapers. The first free patterned endpaper (with blank verso) is missing. Endpapers are split to webbing at inner hinges, but still holding. Bevelled edges to boards.

Provenance: Bookplate of 'A. St. C' (?) to first pastedown, depicting a 'Bohun Swan' design. Additionally, with scripted 1907 London owner's inscription to half title '....de la Camara', and Ex-Libris stamp 'Brotons Pazos', also to half title.

Text with light foxing throughout, but bright and fully legible.Text in English. An imperfect, but still desirable title for lovers of Sherlock Holmes.

Patterned pastedown endpaper (missing facing patterned endpaper) + frontispiece + half title + title + contents + Publisher's list of Conan Doyle titles + 279pp. Illustrated throughout, with all text pages complete.

Weight approximately 989g unpacked.

Dimensions: 

Approximately 244mm high x 173mm wide x 30mm deep.