The Sign of Four
New York: P.F. Collier, 1891. First American Edition; publisher's printed wrappers; some staining to the wrappers and loss of lettering from tape removal along the edges of the front and back wrappers where they meet the spine; very good; in a custom clamshell box. This novel was first issued in Lippincott's Magazine in February, 1890, followed in book form by Spencer, Blackett in London in 1890. This first American edition, a piracy, was issued by Collier on March 15, 1891 as part of a subscription series, a device by which publishers were able to take advantage of cheap Post Office second-class rates. Single copies were available at 25 cents. An authorized American edition was not issued until 1893.
[Book #19545P]
Price: $5,500.00