Whiskey Drips: A Series of Interesting Sketches Illustrating the Operations of the Whiskey Thieves in Their Evasion of the Law and Its Penalties

Philadelphia, PA: Williams B. Evans & Co, 1873. 1st Edition. Cloth. Very Good. 8vo., 349(2)pp. plus 2pp. ads. Sharp First Edition of these supposedly true crime stories. However, like much of these similar "Memoirs", the stories are completely fictitious. Published in 1876 as "The Adventures of a U.S. Detective". Bound in publisher's original brown cloth. Borders and decorations stamped in black and titles stamped in brown over super-imposed gilt banners on front board and spine. Brown end-papers. Black & white illustrations including tissue-guarded frontispiece. Square, tight and generally quite clean throughout with no foxing though an occasional scattered spot. Page edges mildly toning. . Some wear to edges and tips with a 1/2" tear of the cloth at the rear top hinge. Light soiling to cloth. Not perfect but a solid collectable copy of an uncommon item in any condition. (Hubin, p. 50) (Queen: The Detective Short Story, p.15).