The Red Box
New York: Farrar & Rinehart, Inc., 1937.
First edition, first printing. [iv], 298, 5 pp. Bound in publisher's gray cloth stamped in red, red topstain. Near Fine with light wear and a few scuffs to covers, small dent to upper edge of front board, and ownership signature dated 5-8-37 to half-title page. In a Near Fine unrestored and unclipped dust jacket with light soiling, moderate wear, and slight fading to spine panel. Two dollar price stamp to rear flap, 1 inch chip to upper end of rear spine fold.
The fourth Nero Wolfe mystery, scarce in the original jacket. The early jackets in the long-running series featured orchids, a reference to the favorite hobby of the armchair detective, who spends four hours a day tending thousands of plants in his rooftop conservatory. There are now several species named in honor of the beloved sleuth and his nimble sidekick, Archie Goodwin.
Price: $9,800