V SCARCE EARLY DETECTIVE STORIES IN SUPERB FULL MOROCCO

GABORIAU, Emile ~ Gaboriau’s Sensational Novels. (Comprising: The Slaves of Paris, 2 vols.; The Mystery of Orcival and Promise of Marriage; The Intrigues of a Poisoner and Captain Coutanceau; The Gilded Clique; Other People’s Money; Lecoq, The Detective, 2 vols.; Dossier No.113; The Little Old Man of Batignoles, and other Stories; The Lerouge Case; The Catastrophe, 2 vols.; In Peril of his Life).

London: Vizetelly & Co., 1881-1886

14 volumes, 7 inches tall. Translated into English. A splendid collection of these pioneering detective stories in a sumptuous full morocco. The bindings, by Wallis, have gilt raised bands, exceptionally fine gilt tooling to the panels, dentelles and all edges. The text, in contrast, is of a basic nature, typical of the genre of popular sensational novels of the period. Bookplates of Robert J. Hayhurst. All of these titles are scarce and a fine collection like this extremely rare. A note in Hayhurst's hand in 'The Lerouge Case' states that when translated into English c. 1866 it was perhaps the first detective novel in the English language, predating 'The Moonstone'. There is a little foxing, a few protruding sections, a very few slight stains but overall a splendid survival of what were original very light weight productions.