1901 · London
by Doyle, Arthur Conan
London: [Various], 1901. Overall very good.. Handsome set of selected fiction of Arthur Conan Doyle bound in 19 volumes with the green and gilt armorial binding of collector Major Arthur Henry Johnstone. Little is recorded about the life of Arthur Henry Johnstone, and what traces remain are almost entirely due to the survival of his private library, magnificently bound for him by an unknown binder and dispersed to the trade following their sale in 1921 to H.J.B Clements. This set gathers together a variety of early editions from George Newnes and several other publishers, and includes the following works: A STUDY IN SCARLET, THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES, THE SIGN OF THE FOUR, THE LAST ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES, THE EXPLOITS OF BRIGADIER GERARD, THE GREAT SHADOW, MICAH CLARKE, UNCLE BERNAC, THE TRAGEDY OF THE KOROSKO, THE REFUGEES, RODNEY STONE, THE WHITE COMPANY, THE STARK MUNRO LETTERS, ROUND THE RED LAMP, THE CAPTAIN OF THE POLE STAR, THE FIRM OF GIRDLESTONE, THE DOINGS OF RAFFLES HAW, THE GREEN FLAG, and A DUET. A fascinating example of collector-driven taste in bookbinding for his personal library. 19 volumes, 7'' x 4.5'' each. Three-quarter dark green goatskin with gilt-stamped green cloth and gilt-tooled spines, leather overbands at top and bottom edges of joints. All spines except THE GREAT SHADOW stamped with year of book publication. Top edges gilt. Gilt-stamped brown pigskin bookplates of Henry Arthur Johnstone to front pastedowns of all volumes with heavy offsetting to facing endpapers. Some volumes bound with endpapers bearing watermark of Van Gelder papermaker. Though no additional provenance markings, this set from the library of noted actor and Sherlockian Curtis Armstrong. Light to moderate wear and rubbing to boards, a couple with small chips to spine ends. Some spotting to fore-edge of A DUET; a few volumes with a bit of light discoloration to leather. Sound.
(Inventory #: 50314)