Reprint of the First DBC Book
A posting on a web message board dated 2007 was the first hint of a special DBC limited edition, "I picked up today a "collector's item" published by the Detective Book Club (aka Walter Black, Roslyn, NY). It was one of their three-in-one mystery collections, but bound in a heavy blue leather or leatherette, with gilt ends and a ribbon marker. The three books are: The Case Of The Empty Tin by Erle Stanley Gardner, Evil Under The Sun by Agatha Christie, A Pinch Of Poison by The Lockridges. The three novels were originally published in 1941, but their copyrights are all listed as renewed in 1969, which is when I assume this book comes from. There's a limitation page which says "Copy 142 of 170 copies." LINK
These titles are are a reprint of the first DBC issued in April 1942, and was also issued in a plain cover.
The "plain" cover reprint copy of this edition, with the then current standard type of printed color cover and also the copyright renewals dated 1969. This plain version was used as a promotional volume.
Copyright law extended for 28 years at that time, so the 1969 renewal is consistent with that. However, that date is not confirmation that these editions were published in 1969.
These titles are are a reprint of the first DBC issued in April 1942, and was also issued in a plain cover.
The "plain" cover reprint copy of this edition, with the then current standard type of printed color cover and also the copyright renewals dated 1969. This plain version was used as a promotional volume.
Copyright law extended for 28 years at that time, so the 1969 renewal is consistent with that. However, that date is not confirmation that these editions were published in 1969.
With the purchase of copy number 1 of 170 from a Cleveland area bookseller, came a letter, which helps explain some of the mystery. How did the book get to Cleveland from Roslyn Heights? Mearns son was a university professor in Cleveland and no doubt inherited this volume from his father's effects.
As you can see, these books were published in 1978, not 1969. First they tried a promotion of a "standard" plain cover reprint of the 1942 book, but that did not go well, however the same book in a leather binding seems to have exceeded their expectations at 170 copies (unnumbered copies may exist, but I have not seen any referenced anywhere as yet). Unfortunately it does not seem to have gone so well that they published any other volumes in leather bindings.
The book is full bound in blue leather with gold spine lettering and cover decorations. Three raised bands on spine. Blue satin moire endpapers. All edges gilt with a satin index ribbon.
The book is full bound in blue leather with gold spine lettering and cover decorations. Three raised bands on spine. Blue satin moire endpapers. All edges gilt with a satin index ribbon.
Edition 89 of 170 was listed for sale on Amazon in 2015 from a seller in North Carolina.
Dust jacketed 1942 edition on left, reprint with printed cover (no jacket) on right.
Copyright page of 1942 edition at left, reprint with 1969 copyright renewals at right.