Private Selby
Wallace, Edgar [1875-1932]
(Book #ID 107716)
Published by Ward, Lock & Co., Limited, Warwick House, Salisbury Square, London First Edition 1912. 1912.
First edition hard back binding in publisher's original black cloth covered boards decorated in symmetrical red and green art nouveau style pattern to the spine and front cover, blocked and lettered gilt back. 8vo. 7½'' x 5¼''. Edgar Wallace wrote a number of books and plays before the First World War about the dangers of a future German invasion of Britain. The hero Dick Selby had first appeared in a serial in the Sunday Journal in 1909 and was modelled on Wallace himself. Prophetic and chilling at once, Edgar Wallace's alternate history crime novel deals with the author's fear of a potential German invasion of Britain shortly before the outbreak of the Great War. Credited with being one of the writers who predicted the First World War, the novel follows the life of a young rascal Dick Selby, who enters the British military and whose life spins into unexpected disarray as a result of a sudden invasion. From that moment on, his life becomes an arena of conflicting feelings and emotions, reflecting his traumatic wartime experience. Contains monochrome frontispiece, 319 pp + 16 pp ads. Ink message to the front free end paper 'Wilfrid Beaudale with best Xmas wishes J.W.? December 1915', off-setting to the end papers else in Very Good clean and bright condition. Scarce. Member of the P.B.F.A.
Click here to select books from the
DETECTIVE | CRIME FICTION
Category