EHRENGRAF FOR THE DEFENSE

Royal Oak,MI and Mission Viejo,CA: A S A P,, 1994. First Thus Edition 1st Printing. Hardcover. As New/Slipcase. 8vo - over 7¾ - 9¾" tall. Signed by author Lawrence block, Edward D. Hoch (who wrote the Introduction), and illustrator Phil Parks on verso of the title page of this signed limited edition which comes in a plexiglas slipcase. First edition, first printing in gray cloth boards with illustrated reverse angle pastedowns on front and rear board and 4 X 6 author photograph mounted on page facing title page. Book is unread, clean and unmarked in as new condition, and slipcase is pristine.second book in the Evan Tanner seriesies. "It was in 1976 that I wrote The Ehrengraf Defense (aka EHRENGRAF FOR THE DEFENSE), introducing a dapper gentleman with a highly idiosyncratic approach to the practice of criminal law. My agent sent the story to Frederic Dannay, one of two cousins who constituted the writing team of Ellery Queen. Fred edited Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine as well, and loved the story; he saw Martin H. Ehrengraf as a lineal descendant of Randolph Mason, the creation of Melville Davisson Post. (Since I'd never heard of Post's stories, let alone read them, I doubt he was my inspiration. Indeed, the character was entirely my idea - although I did lift a plot element from Fletcher Flora.) Fred wanted more Ehrengraf stories, and over time I wrote a total of ten of them. Most of them made their first appearance in EQMM, and proved popular with readers - and especially with members of the legal profession. Make of that what you will." (Lawrence Block) A Mystery Writers of America Grand Master, Lawrence Block is a four-time winner of the Edgar Allan Poe and Shamus Awards, as well as a recipient of prizes in France, Germany, and Japan.