Dead Cert

New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1962. First edition. Hardback. Very Good Indeed/Very Good. 8" by 5.5". None. A first US edition of celebrated jockey and author Dick Francis' first novel. This first US edition of celebrated author Dick Francis' debut novel 'Dead Cert' follows amateur jockey Alan York as he investigates the death of his friend after a fellow jockey is sabotaged and dies during a race they should have won, becoming embroiled with a dangerous gang of racketeers. Dick Francis was a RAF pilot during WW2, a successful steeplechase jockey, and crime writer, whose works deal with crimes in the horse-racing world, producing more than 40 best-sellers. First US edition, with unclipped first state dustwrapper priced at $3.50. High in suspense and excitement, Francis' 'Dead Cert' is an incredible debut novel, and catapulted the author to crime fiction success. In the publisher's original hardback binding, with unclipped dustwrapper bearing $3.50 price. Externally, very smart, with light bumping to the head and tail of spine. The dustwrapper is generally smart with several handling marks to the front and rear wraps. To the head of the rear wrap there is a light tidemark, visible internally. Tape repair to the tail of the spine internally to the wrapper. Small hole to the rear joint to the flyleaf and minor chip to the rear flyleaf at the bottom. Internally, firmly bound. The pages are generally bright and clean with some age-toning and handling marks throughout. Very Good Indeed