NY: Vintage Books, 1972. 1st Vintage edition. Small triangular corner crease on rear wrapper (cover) & edgewear otherwise a clean, unmarked very good paperback in decorative wrappers (soft cover book).

Synopsis

The Maltese Falcon , author Dashiell Hammett’s third novel, set the standard by which all subsequent detective fiction would be judged. Set in San Francisco in the late 1920s, the novel introduces us to private detective Sam Spade, who characterizes the archetype of the hard-boiled detective in his dead-pan pursuit of the recovery of a black figurine. Having worked for a time for the Pinkerton Detective Agency in San Francisco, Hammett reportedly drew upon his years as a detective in creating Spade and many of the other characters for The Maltese Falcon . The Maltese Falcon was originally serialized in HL Mencken’s “pulp” magazine, Black Mask, beginning with the September 1929 issue. For publication of the book form, editor Blanche Knopf tried to tone down the overt sexuality of the magazine version, fearing the references would alienate readers, but Hammett prevailed. However, the 1941 film adaptation starring Humphrey Bogart and Mary Astor (the best known of the novel’s three film versions) excised the homosexual subtext of the novel due to Production Code restraints. Today, the movie is considered a film noir classic and the novel is ranked 56th on Modern Library’s “100 Best” English-language novels of the 20th century as well as 54th on The Guardian’s list of the 100 best novels. -

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Details

Bookseller: Lorrin Wong, Bookseller (US)
Bookseller's Inventory #: 652225
Title: The Maltese Falcon
Author: Hammett, Dashiell
Book Condition: Used - Small triangular corner crease on rear wrapper (cover) & edgewear otherwise a clean, unmarked very good paperback in decorat
Edition: 1st Vintage edition
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: NY: Vintage Books
Date Published: 1972

Terms of Sale

Lorrin Wong, Bookseller

1. Merchandise availability is subject to prior sale. Prices are subject to change without notice. All prices are quoted in U.S. dollars. 2. Payment: Mastercard, Visa or check with order. Please make your check payable in U.S. dollars to: Lorrin Wong. Lorrin Wong, Bookseller 5924 Shenandoah Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90056-1426. We will invoice libraries and institutions on request. 3. Domestic (U.S.) shipping & handling is $3.50 for first Book or Item; $1.75 for each additional Book or Item via US Postal Service Media Mail. International and other methods of shipping are quoted separately. 4. California orders: please remit the appropriate sales tax for your locale (or 8.25% of total). California dealers: please include a copy of your reseller's permit or sales tax will be included. 5. Items may be returned within seven days of receipt if in the same condition as received. Please advise us via email, fax or phone at least two days prior to returning if making a return. Return instructions: Repack return items securely in a sturdy box and include a copy of this Invoice (or a note with our Invoice # above) and send it to our address above insured. Please indicate your reason for return.

About the Seller

Lorrin Wong, Bookseller

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Biblio member since 2005

Los Angeles, California

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About Lorrin Wong, Bookseller

Offering out-of-print first edition literature and non-fiction titles in the fine arts, photography, architecture, history, science and military subjects.

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Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:

Wrappers: The paper covering on the outside of a paperback. Also see the entry for pictorial wraps, color illustrated coverings for...