Tag: w.r. burnett

1930 Longman, Green hardcover – cover art by Edna Reindel

Burnett, W[illiam] R[iley]. IRON MAN. New York: Lincoln Mac Veagh The Dial Press … Toronto: Longman, Green & Co., 1930. Octavo, pp. [1-8] [1-2] 3-312, original blue cloth, spine panel stamped in gold, publisher’s monogram stamped in blind on front panel, top edge stained red, other edges rough trimmed. First edition. Burnett’s second novel, preceded by his well-received gangster novel, LITTLE CAESAR (1929). The story of a mechanic’s helper who becomes a prize fighter and finally middleweight champion. Hanna 527. A fine copy in fine pictorial dust jacket (with art deco illustration by Edna Reindel) with light wear at upper spine end and corner tips and tiny, narrow chip at lower spine end.

1949 Avon reissue

better image than previously posted

a non-mystery, it was his second novel, published the year after Little Caesar

[post updated with paperback 9/27/25]

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.

1953 Gold Medal paperback original – cover art by Barye Phillips

Burnett, W[illiam] R[iley], writing as “John Monahan.” BIG STAN. New York: Fawcett Publications, Inc., [1953]. Small octavo, cover art by Barye Phillips, pictorial wrappers. First edition. Gold Medal #355. Paperback original. hard-boiled novel. Faint crease to spine edge, rubbing to rear spine edge, a near fine copy.

cover art by Barye Phillips