London: George Newnes, Limited, 1902. First edition. First edition in book form after the serial publication in the "Strand Magazine" Aug. 1901 - April 1902. A lovely copy of the book, becoming increasingly scarce in truly Fine condition. Top edge a trifle dusty, short half-inch tear to the blank margin of p 231 and light offsetting/foxing to the end papers, otherwise a bright, fresh copy, without repair or other sophistication. Round, unfaded spine, bright gilt, all cloth intact and unfrayed even at the spine ends and corners. Ex J. Burbie Bell, with his tasteful bookplate on the front paste-down. Complete with all sixteen plate (including frontis) by Sidney Paget. Housed in a full red morocco clamshell case.

"The Hound of The Baskervilles" was the first Holmes story Conan Doyle wrote since Holmes’ death eight years before in "The Final Problem." (Although the story was set before Sherlock Holmes’ end, its popularity would inspire Doyle to bring back the character entirely in "The Adventure of the Empty House.") "The Hound of The Baskervilles" is set in the Southwestern English countryside and follows a murder that takes place amidst the legend of a cursed, spectral hound. Thought of as the best and most famous of the Sherlock Holmes stories, it appeared on Le Monde’s list of the 100 Books of the Century. "The Hound of The Baskervilles" was hugely popular when it was released, lines would form for copies of the The Strand: “to the delight of Greenhough Smith, the magazine’s circulation rose by thirty thousand copies.” (Teller of Tales: The Life of Arthur Conan Doyle) Fine (Item #1182)