"IT IS MY BUSINESS TO KNOW WHAT OTHER PEOPLE DON'T KNOW": FIRST EDITIONS OF THE ADVENTURES AND MEMOIRS OF SHERLOCK HOLMES

CONAN DOYLE, Sir Arthur. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. WITH: The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes. London: George Newnes (Gresham Press), 1892, 1894. Together, two volumes. Tall octavo, original black and gilt-stamped pictorial pale and dark blue cloth, beveled board-edges, patterned endpapers, all edges gilt. Housed in a custom clamshell box.

First editions in book form of these classic stories starring literature's most famous detective, illustrated by Sidney Paget, with a laid-in autograph signed letter entirely in Conan Doyle's hand asking the recipient to pass on his acceptance of the Newcastle mayor's invitation to come for a visit.

Sherlock Holmes first appeared in the novel A Study in Scarlet (1887), but his adventures in the Strand Magazine would bring both him and his creator, Arthur Conan Doyle, lasting fame. "The initial 12 tales were collected between covers as The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, published in England and America in 1892; and 11 of the second 12… as The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, published in 1894. If any reader be prepared to name two other books that have given more innocent but solid pleasure, let him speak now— or hold his peace!" (Haycraft, 50). These volumes contain such famous and memorable tales as "A Scandal in Bohemia" and "The Adventure of the Speckled Band." Of special note is the last case in the Memoirs, "The Final Problem," in which Holmes apparently meets his death in a struggle with "the Napoleon of crime," Professor Moriarty. "At one point, tiring of the detective, Doyle attempted to exterminate him… but the clamor of his admirers forced him to resurrect Holmes for several further volumes, and his popularity has waned little since" (Benet, 273). With Sidney Paget's original, iconic illustrations: "Paget's spirited illustrations… greatly assisted to popularize those stories" (DNB). In first-issue binding, with blank street sign on front cover illustration. Tan patterned endpapers rather than gray. Without scarce dust jackets. Green & Gibson A10a, A14a. DeWaal 520, 596. These works are accompanied by a laid-in autograph signed letter on Buckingham Palace Mansions stationery, written entirely in Arthur Conan Doyle's hand. The letter reads: "Crowboro, Nov 20. Dear Sir, I shall put up at Newcastle on Monday night. I shall be happy to accept the Mayor's kind offer of hospitality for Tuesday night. Will you kindly let him know as I have not name or address. I shall let him know when I get over—probably in the late afternoon on Tuesday. My wife won't be with me this time. Yours sincerely, A. Conan Doyle." The quiet rural town of Crowborough was the East Sussex home of Conan Doyle for the final two decades of his life. This letter was likely written in 1893, as Conan Doyle was in the midst of a short lecture tour that took him to Newcastle Upon Tyne. Not long after, his wife was diagnosed with tuberculosis, leading him to kill off Sherlock Holmes in The Final Problem. Conan Doyle and his wife set off for Davos in December, hoping that Switzerland would provide a cure. Louise Conan Doyle found some alleviation of her symptoms, but ultimately died a few years later. By that point, Conan Doyle had found new love and Sherlock had been resurrected.

Adventures extremely good, with inner paper hinges repaired, tape repair to front free endpaper, faint scattered foxing to interior, light rubbing to cloth, a few puncture marks to spine. Memoirs near-fine, with only a few spots of soiling to interior and cloth and a bit of wear to extremities of binding. Letter bold and legible with faint pink residue to verso, original creases and small closed tear, and punch marks along top edge. A desirable set.