1929 Jonathan Cape hardcover

Burnett, W[illiam] R[iley]. LITTLE CAESAR. London: Jonathan Cape, [1929]. Octavo, pp. [1-6] 7-283 [284: blank] 285-288: glossary, publisher’s red cloth, spine panel stamped in gold, rear panel stamped in blind with publisher’s symbol. First British edition. Classic crime novel that chronicles the rise and fall of a Chicago gangster. Made into a memorable feature film (1930) starring Edward G. Robinson. Pronzini and Muller, 1001 Midnights, The Aficionado’s Guide to Mystery and Detective Fiction, pp. 101-102. A review copy sent to the DAILY HERALD, with publisher’s review slip laid in and a clipping of the review affixed to the front paste-down. The reviewer’s copy, with “A.L.B.,” in ink at the upper fore-edge corner of the front free end paper dated 29.6.29. Inked name on the front free end paper. Spine age-darkened, a very good copy in good dust jacket illustrated by Lee Elliott with overall toning to the white background, light abrasions to lower front panel and spine panel, vertical crease to the rear panel, abrasion with loss along rear flap fold. A presentable copy of the scarce UK edition. From the library of a well-known mystery writer with his library stamp on the front paste-down.

The Underground Man x 11

1971 Knopf hardcover, first edition – cover design by Hal Seigel (owner’s copy)

London: Collins Crime Club, 1971. First UK Edition. The 16th novel in the Lew Archer series.

1973 Fontana UK reissue

1974 Bantam reissue

1979 Bantam reissue – cover art by Mitchell Hooks

1989 Fontana UK reissue

1992 Warner reissue – cover art by Gary Kelley

1996 Vintage/Black Lizard reissue

Australian 2012 Penguin reissue

Australian 2024 Penguin reissue

The New Yorker, March 3, 2025

[post updated 8/20/26]

The Neon Jungle x 4 + 1

1953 Gold Medal paperback original

1958 Gold Medal reissue – cover art attributed to James Meese

1960 Gold Medal reissue

1960 Digit UK paperback – not the MacDonald but same art

`1981 Fawcett Gold Medal reissue

Jealous Woman x 3

1950 Avon Monthly Novel digest original – first appearance

cover art by Mike Doyle

1951 Avon paperback – first mass market

cover art attributed to Barye Phillips

better image than previously posted

1959 UK Ace release

cover art by John Vernon

better image than previously posted

Me, Hood! x 4

1963 Corgi UK paperback original

cover art by Renato Fratini

1967 Corgi reissue

1969 Signet edition – 1st US edition

cover art by Robert McGinnis

better image than previously posted

1971 Corgi reissue

cover art by Terry Gilbert