A UK first edition, first impression.
WRAPPER : The period wrapper on this copy is bright and complete. It is unclipped. The front panel is bright and unfaded, showing slight wear to the top and bottom edges. The spine is bright and unfaded. It is slightly bruised and gently scuffed at the ends. The back panel is sound, showing gentle wear at the top edge. Looks sharp in protective plastic.
BOOK : The book is square and very tight. The boards are bright. The spine ends are bruised. The pages are clean. No foxing. The closed page edges are slightly dusty. No dog-eared pages. The binding is solid - no cracked hinges. There is an ownership inscription on the front pastedown - that of Donald Rudd, the noted detective fiction collector. A nice copy in a protected wrapper.
Publisher: Collins ( Collins Crime Club ), 1944
Condition: Very Good ++. Wrapper: Very Good ++