"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, 1892, 1894. Two volumes. Octavo, original pictorial black- and gilt-stamped light blue and dark blue cloth, patterned endpapers, all edges gilt. Housed together in a custom cloth slipcase. $16,000.

First editions in book form of these classic stories starring literature's most famous detective, illustrated by Sidney Paget.

Although Sherlock Holmes first appeared in the novel A Study in Scarlet (1887), his adventures in the Strand Magazine brought 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). Adventures in first-issue binding, with blank street sign on front cover illustration. Green & Gibson A10a, A14a. DeWaal 520, 596. Adventures with ink gift inscription on half title, dated January 1893.

Adventures with faint vertical crease to half title and title page. Light foxing to text of both volumes, though less than often seen. Expert unobtrusive reinforcement to inner paper hinges; cloth generally clean and only lightly rubbed at extremities, gilt bright. A bright set in the original cloth.