Percival Wilde — P. Moran, Operative

New York, Random House , 1947. First edition. Cloth. A well presented first edition of this collection of humorous detective stories, following the stories of Pete Moran, an unsuccessful student of detection. An uncommon first edition of this work in original publisher's cloth binding and unclipped dust wrapper. This work was written by American author and playwright, Percival Wilde, who is best known for his many one-act plays. He had a very thorough style of research and for this particular novel he enrolled in a correspondence course for detecting. He took this course under a pseudonym, giving the best answers he could whilst using the worst english and spelling. P. Moran, Operative, follows the experiences of Pete Moran in his course of detection. Despite the best intentions, Pete has the longest track record for never being right. This work contains seven short stories of Moran's adventures. In original publisher's cloth binding with decorative detailing to the spine and original unclipped dust wrapper. Externally, excellent with very minor shelf wear. Light bumping to head and tail of the spine. Dust wrapper in excellent condition, with minor chipping to the extremities. The odd mark to the wrap, mainly to the rear. Internally, firmly bound with bright, clean pages. Near Fine . Ill.: None. Near Fine/Near Fine.