Red Dynamite

Chicago: Reilly & Lee, 1936. Reprint . Hardcover. Near Fine/Good. 12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall. Epperly (jacket art). Johnny Thompson. "Mystery Stories for Boys", volume 19. Bound in blue cloth with titles and rules stamped in black. This is the so-called "Banner edition", issued somewhere between 1948 and 1954, which consisted of three of Snell's earlier books, volumes 17, 19 and 21. All have the yellow banner on the front panel of the dust wrapper ("Teen-Age Mystery Story"). The proof that this is a reprint edition is found on the rear flap, which blurbs title 21, a book which would originally be published two years after this book (1938; see full jacket photo). Volume 17 blurbs this book on the rear flap, and volume 21 has a blurb for number 17. No other titles are mentioned, indicating this was the extent of this reprint series. The price is $1.25, far more than the $.50 that the original editions were priced at. (Volume 21 originally appeared in a larger format, which was priced at $.75). The front panel illustration is different from the original also, in an attempt to get potential buyers to believe this (and the other two) were new stories. The paper quality is quite good and the binding is solid, although the paper bulks nearly 1/2" less than the original. All in all, this small reprint series seems to have been a last-ditch attempt to get Snell's books back before the public, an attempt that failed, as only these three books appeared in this format. This copy shows only a hint of rubbing at the head and heel of the spine. There is a March 19, 1954 gift inscription to the ffe; the book is otherwise unmarked. The hinges are solid and binding is square. The dust jacket has rather heavy edgewear, with creasing and chipping along the lower edge of the front panel. It was placed in mylar after the photos were taken. Note: Many sellers believe this is the first edition. An easy way to distinguish the difference at a glance is the illustration. Both show a football play, but only the reprint has the banner and a goat on the field, with volume 21 blurbed on the rear flap. Questions? Photos of the other "Banner" titles? Email us!