First edition, first printing. Publisher's original light brown cloth with dark brown titles to the upper board and spine, in the Hans J. Barschel illustrated dustwrapper. A better than very good copy, the binding square and firm with a little bumping to the spine tips, the cloth bright and fresh. The contents, with the usually binder's glue toning to the pastedowns, are otherwise clean throughout and without inscriptions or stamps. Complete with the rubbed, nicked and creased dustwrapper that has a closed tear to the upper left of the front panel (with a single piece of tape to the underside) and some toning to the spine. Not price-clipped ($2.00 to the upper front flap).
Chandler's third novel featuring the Los Angeles private detective Philip Marlowe, and his first book publication not to re-use previously issued short stories. The basis for two film adaptations: in 1942 under the title 'Time To Kill' and in 1947 (with George Montgomery in the lead role) as 'The Brasher Dubloon'. (Hubin; Bruccoli A3.1.a; Johnson: The Dark Page).
Stock code: 25258
£1,600