William Henderson — Clues or Leaves from a Chief Constable&Apos;S Note Book

Edinburgh , Oliphant, Anderson and Ferrier , 1889. First edition. Cloth. The author's presentation copy of this rare collection of detective's anecdotes, highlighting late 19th-century crime in industrial cities. Author's presentation copy, with his inscription to the title page, "With the author's compliments, W. H. 21. 3. 89".First edition. Very scarce. In the publisher's cloth binding.A compelling series of anecdotal stories narrated by detectives, including tracking down silk stealers, a forger's game of billiards, and an audacious young Glasgow thief. The work is noted for giving the impression that, towards the end of the 19th century, many areas of the larger industrial cities were populated by legions of professional criminals."The following stories are given, in many instances, very much as the facts happened, while in others, although the circumstances are not narrated exactly as they took place, they are founded on events which have occurred within the writer's experience". Sixteen-page catalogue of publisher's advertisements to the rear. In the original cloth binding. Externally, very smart, with mild rubbing and bumping to the extremities. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are generally bright and clean, with scattered spots to the first and last few pages. Spotting to the fore edge affecting the occasional page. Author's inscription to the title page. Very Good Indeed . Ill.: None. Very Good Indeed .