The D.A. Holds a Candle (Signed First Edition)

New York: William Morrow and Company, 1938. 1st Edition. Hardcover. Near Fine/Near Fine. 8vo., 277pp. Beautiful First Edition with no other printings listed as called for by William, Morrow. The second Gardner story featuring Douglas Selby after "The D.A. Calls it Murder". Bound in black cloth with lettering in red on front board and spine. Square and tight some gentle bumping to spine ends and top front tip. Fairly faint sticker ghosts on the end-paper edges perhaps from an early jacket protector. Very attractive unclipped dust-jacket, ($2.00), has a tiny nick to the heel some minor rubbing but is fresh and bright with no creases, toning or tears. very well-preserved. Signed and inscribed by the author on the front end-paper, "To Arch, with best from Erle. Rangar! Dec. 1938". Clearly Arch is a closer associate than just a casual fan. A gorgeous collectable copy of a surprisingly uncommon title.