Poe, Edgar Allan.

Tales

New York: Wiley & Putnam, 1845. First edition. Octavo (180 x 115 mm). Early 20th-century blue morocco, titles to spine in gilt, spine elaborately tooled in gilt in compartments with raised bands, triple rule gilt frames and decorative cornerpieces to covers in gilt, top edge gilt, marbled endpapers, turn-ins rolled in gilt. From the noted library of Frederic R. Kirkland (1887-1961) with his bookplate to front pastedown. Near-contemporary gift inscription to first blank, “Bruce L Thomas to J J Lindman.” Tissue reinforcements to inner hinges, professional paper restoration to half-title and title page. Spine gently toned, negligible rubbing to extremities; a handsome, bright, copy.

First edition, first printing, with the New York imprint, one of 1,500 copies issued; this copy with the half-title present. Poe's Tales is "the first important book of detective fiction, the cornerstone of cornerstones in any readers' or collectors' guide, the highest of all highspots: the 1845 edition includes for the first time in book form all three Dupin stories - The Murders in the Rue Morgue, The Mystery of Marie Roget, and The Purloined Letter. The Gold Bug is also included" (Queen's Quorum).

BAL 16146.    Fine (Item #3077)