First Editions of the first twelve Spenser Novels, all but one Signed or Inscribed by the Author (The Godwulf Manuscript, God Save the Child, Mortal Stakes,Promised Land, The Judas Goat, Looking for Rachel Wallace, Early Autumn, A Savage Place, Ceremony, The Widening Gyre, Valediction, A Catskill Eagle)

Boston, New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, Delacorte Press, 1974-1982.

Price: $2,800.00

Hardcover. First editions. Mostly fine in fine dustwrappers (see below for details). The first twelve of the approximately forty Spenser novels, one of the premiere detective series of the last quarter of the 20th Century. The series was extremely influential in the detective fiction world, incorporating an idealistic and indefatigable detective hero with an unbreakable personal code descending in a direct line from the hardboiled protagonists of Dashiell Hammett, Raymond Chander, and Ross Macdonald.

After the first dozen Spenser novels the series, although entertaining and engaging, became increasingly formulaic. However, reading the first dozen novels in real time was a revelation. Spenser's tense interactions with his sometimes rival and sometimes friend Hawk practically crackled off the page. Condition details as follows:

1. *The Godwulf Manuscript* 1974. Fine in fine price-clipped dustwrapper. Inscribed to "a collector of the rare avis Spenser."
2. *God Save the Child* 1974. Fine in just about fine dustwrapper with nominal lightening at the spine. The only unsigned copy in the lot, and possibly the scarcest title in the series.
3. *Mortal Stakes* 1975. Fine in just about fine dustwrapper with a little rubbing and a tiny tear. Signed.
4. *Promised Land* 1976. Fine in fine dustwrapper. Signed.
5. *The Judas Goat* 1978. Fine in fine price-clipped dustwrapper. Signed.
6. *Looking for Rachel Wallace* 1980. Fine in fine dustwrapper but for two creases on front flap. Signed.
7. *Early Autumn* 1981. Fine in fine dustwrapper. Briefly Inscribed.
8. *A Savage Place* 1981. Remainder spray on bottom edge else fine in fine dustwrapper. Inscribed "...a savage place is hidden without a trace."
9. *Ceremony* 1982. Fine in fine dustwrapper. Signed.
10. *The Widening Gyre* 1983. Remainder spray on bottom edge else fine in fine dustwrapper. Signed.
11. *Valediction* 1984. Fine in fine dustwrapper. Briefly Inscribed.
12. *A Catskill Eagle* 1985. Fine in fine dustwrapper. Briefly Inscribed to "a youthful private eye."


Item #437764

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Item #437764 First Editions of the first twelve Spenser Novels, all but one Signed or Inscribed by the Author (The Godwulf Manuscript, God Save the Child, Mortal Stakes,Promised Land, The Judas Goat, Looking for Rachel Wallace, Early Autumn, A Savage Place, Ceremony, The Widening Gyre, Valediction, A Catskill Eagle). Robert B. PARKER.
First Editions of the first twelve Spenser Novels, all but one Signed or Inscribed by the Author (The Godwulf Manuscript, God Save the Child, Mortal Stakes,Promised Land, The Judas Goat, Looking for Rachel Wallace, Early Autumn, A Savage Place, Ceremony, The Widening Gyre, Valediction, A Catskill Eagle)
First Editions of the first twelve Spenser Novels, all but one Signed or Inscribed by the Author (The Godwulf Manuscript, God Save the Child, Mortal Stakes,Promised Land, The Judas Goat, Looking for Rachel Wallace, Early Autumn, A Savage Place, Ceremony, The Widening Gyre, Valediction, A Catskill Eagle)
First Editions of the first twelve Spenser Novels, all but one Signed or Inscribed by the Author (The Godwulf Manuscript, God Save the Child, Mortal Stakes,Promised Land, The Judas Goat, Looking for Rachel Wallace, Early Autumn, A Savage Place, Ceremony, The Widening Gyre, Valediction, A Catskill Eagle)
First Editions of the first twelve Spenser Novels, all but one Signed or Inscribed by the Author (The Godwulf Manuscript, God Save the Child, Mortal Stakes,Promised Land, The Judas Goat, Looking for Rachel Wallace, Early Autumn, A Savage Place, Ceremony, The Widening Gyre, Valediction, A Catskill Eagle)

Robert B. Parker
birth name: Robert B. Parker
born: 9/17/1932
died: 01/18/2010

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Mystery author best known for his series featuring private investigator Spenser.more

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