Brown, Fredric

Selling Death Short

Missoula, MT: Dennis McMillan Publications, 1988. Limited First Edition. Hardcover. Hand-numbered & signed by Francis M. Nevins, author of Introduction. "The insistent ringing of Mrs. Bartondall's doorbell woke me. Someone seemed to be holding a finger on the button. I glanced sleepily at the luminous hands of the clock on the chair by my bed. Three o'clock. Vaguely I wondered which one of Mrs. Bartondall's boarders would be having guests at so ungodly an hour. Then I turned back and tried to go to sleep again. But no dice." (first paragraphs, "Selling Death Short," pg. 7) A collection of ten stories including the above-quoted title story by Fredric Brown (1906-1972), the noted American fantasy-mystery-science fiction writer who was an acknowledged precursor & influence-inspiration to Philip K. Dick, Robert A. Heinlein, Stephen King & other acclaimed authors in these genres. Originally published during 1940-1943 (& in one case 1955) in various American pulp detective story magazines, these stories adhere closest to the old hard-boiled-noir category of fiction, with Brown's unique twists & style. With an introduction by Francis M. Nevins (b. 1943), the noted American legal scholar & mystery author. Hardcover in illustrated dust jacket, "FIRST EDITION/ Published November 1988" as stated on copyright page; one of an edition of 450 copies hand-numbered & signed by Nevins in black ink at colophon (opposite title page), this is copy No. 86/450. Another rewarding & delightfully garish Brown collectible compilation in its singularly rarest version. Book in very fine condition with only slight loss of gilt gun motif at front cover (possibly a slight flaw as issued); otherwise substantially mint inside & out. Dust jacket very fine with only a few tiny bumps, creases at edges & corners of front, back covers, spine & flaps; otherwise quite pristine. Very Fine / Very Fine. [Item #5439]

Price: $75.00