"THE FRIENDS OF MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES WILL BE GLAD TO LEARN THAT HE IS STILL ALIVE AND WELL": HIS LAST BOW, HANDSOMELY BOUND FIRST EDITION

CONAN DOYLE, Arthur. His Last Bow. Some Reminiscences of Sherlock Holmes. London: John Murray, 1917. Octavo, modern full navy morocco gilt, raised bands, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. $2200.

First edition of the penultimate collection of Sherlock Holmes stories, handsomely bound in full morocco by Bayntun-Riviere.

"The inception of 'His Last Bow'"—the title story in this, the next-to-last collection of Sherlock Holmes stories Conan Doyle would publish (The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes followed a decade later)—"was at a dinner behind the French lines in June 1916 when the author was asked by General Humbert: 'Sherlock Holmes, est ce qu'il est un soldat dans l'armée Anglaise? [Sherlock Holmes, is he a soldier in the English army?]' To which… [Conan Doyle] replied: 'Mais, mon general, il est trop vieux pour service' [But, my general, he is too old for service].' But pleased as he was with his answer, he was determined to show that Holmes had come to his country's aid. The new story… marked the end of Holmes' career, though not the end of his adventures" (Green & Gibson, 183). The volume also includes seven other tales. With three leaves of publisher's advertisements at rear. Published in the same month as, and perhaps preceded by, the American edition. Green & Gibson A40a.

Fine condition. A handsome volume.