Fine Books & Manuscripts

[AVON MURDER MYSTERY MONTHLY]. Murder of the Month and Murder Mystery Monthly, Numbers 1–47. New York: Avon Book Company, 1942–47. Together 47 volumes (of 49) only; lacking the last two issues published three years later, 12mos. Several illustrated by various artists including Howard Simon, William Frost, and Jack Deckter. Publisher’s color pictorial wrappers (occasional dust soiling, rubbing, or creasing; some dampstaining or ink notations to a few). MANY FIRST EDITIONS including: CAIN, James M. Double Indemnity. Illustrated by William Frost. No. 16. FIRST SEPARATE EDITION. The basis for director Billy Wilder's 1944 masterpiece. -- CHANDLER, Raymond. Five Murderers. No. 19. FIRST COLLECTED EDITION. -- CAIN, James M. The Embezzler. Woodcuts by Jack Deckter. No. 20. FIRST SEPARATE EDITION. -- CHANDLER, Raymond. Five Sinister Characters. No. 28. FIRST COLLECTED EDITION. -- WOOLRICH, Cornell ("William Irish") If I Should Die Before I Wake. No. 31. FIRST COLLECTED EDITION. -- BABCOCK, Dwight V. Hannah Says Foul Play. No. 38. FIRST EDITION. -- COXE, George Harmon. Flash Casey...Detective. No. 39. FIRST COLLECTED EDITION. -- BURNETT, W.R. High Sierra. No. 40. -- WOOLRICH, Cornell ("William Irish"). Borrowed Crime. No. 42. FIRST COLLECTED EDITION. -- CHANDLER, Raymond. The Finger Man. No. 43. FIRST COLLECTED EDITION. -- CAIN, James M. Love's Lovely Counterfeit. No. 44. Cover art by Don Milsap. -- And 36 others including works by Edgar Wallace, Frank Gruber, Georges Simenon, Rex Stout, Margery Allingham, Agatha Christie, et al. Condition generally good. A complete list available on request.