UK post & packing cost: buy two books - same postal charge as for one.

Published by Collins Crime Club 1959

The book appears sound with the board edges showing some rubbing most noticeably at the base of the spine & adjoining boards where some small splits may be made out. There has been a light edge knock at the base of the upper board the top corner of which has sustained a light bump. The boards & spine bear very few obvious marks: both spine ends are creased. The black lettering & logo to the spine are very clear. Please see the attached scans.

Internally, the pastedowns are lightly toned but in reasonable & clean condition, the front free endpaper (replacement?) has a couple of toned areas, that at the rear is lightly toned overall. The first few pages of text bear a few small marks with some three others spotted later in the book: of separate note is one page that bore two sizeable - not large - light grey ‘coma shaped’ marks that fortunately have little effect on the legibility of the text immediately below. The page edges are toned with only a couple of spots. The front free endpaper carries a few minor but noticeable marks in bluish ink whilst (all in blue ballpoint) the initials B.M. appear in the top corner of its rear counterpart with directly beneath hand printed NALPO Sept. 70 (or 76).

The dust wrapper, designed by William Randell, is not price trimmed at 10s 6d, is virtually complete with just very limited loss at the fold ends. The spine ends have sustained a degree of rubbing as have parts of the spine folds. There are two short tears to the inner edge of the rear flap. The spine & flap ends have all been strengthened internally by strips of barely visible clear tape. Any marks to the wrapper appear to be reserved for the rear cover but any of those will take some finding! The wrapper is in a removable plastic sleeve. Please see the attached scans.

An attractive looking copy of this title, the author’s first crime novel & use of the pseudonym, Ellis Peters. Not common, especially in a very nice wrapper.

Whilst considerable attention is devoted to providing an accurate description, buyers should bear in mind the book’s age & the commensurate degree of wear & tear sustained. Consequently, some very minor faults, not otherwise detailed, are to be expected. 

Books are posted at the buyer's risk by 2nd class post & charges will be adjusted whenever possible for multiple purchases - please advise me of any excess charge noted. A certificate of posting is available if required. UK personal cheques must be drawn in favour of Q.I. Payne.

Overseas customers are welcomed & may select delivery as indicated below:

E-Bay’s Global Shipping Programme as offered by e-Bay &, in accordance with their terms & conditions, attends to all relevant paperwork & provides substantial financial protection for buyers.

Aster Books utilises the basic but reliable service provided by the Royal Mail’s International Standard freight facilities though items are tracked at the seller’s expense. Payments are processed by e-Bay as usual.  Please advise the country to which you wish delivery made for quotations & any relevant terms. Do not make payment beforehand. Prices are given in bands of 251g – 500g & 501g – 750g., weights that cover most individual books. (The £25.15 /£28.75 example shown below is for books up to 500g / 750g book respectively to the USA, the most expensive destination!)

Aster Books is not a business, just a means of reducing my personal collection so, in general, no returns, thanks.

Please contact me as soon as possible should any problem arise