“Seventy-fifth thousand”. Blue-grey paper wraps [ii] 230pp [2] ads. Probably the earliest obtainable printing of the UK edition of this cornerstone of detective fiction. In surprisingly well preserved condition. The wraps have a touch of creasing to the spine and minor loss to the spine tips with marking from rusty staples to the front and rear. There is a tiny 3mm closed tear on the top edge of the front cover and a light pencil mark. Internally clean and bright with just an ownership name on the blank recto of the advert for the Orient Line at the front of the book. Now protected in a firm, flexible, clear plastic cover and bespoke solander box, this is a very scarce early issue and believed the earliest obtainable printing of the first UK edition of this cornerstone of detective fiction.