Although I don't believe it's the best plotted Holmes story or novel, and I'm not a massive fan of it's ending, it's STILL my favourite ever book. It's opening and it's scene setting could literally define crime fiction, and it's as evocative of it's time and place as anything I've ever read.
As a child I had (and still have) an illustrated & abridged version of Hound Of The Baskervilles, published by Moby Books. Although I can't factually say it's the first book I ever owned, I can absolutely state it's the first book I ever fell in love with.
At round about the same time, I first heard The Hound in audio form! I borrowed a Listen For Pleasure double tape from Radlett Library, read by Hugh Burden. I guess I'd have been about 7 or 8 years old! I borrowed those tapes regularly. Those actual cassettes now belong to me too! It was pretty common for Hertfordshire Libraries to periodically sell off old stock in those days (and probably still is). Because I'd borrowed them so many times, when they were put up for sale the sweet librarian lady actually put them to one side until she next saw me! I remember rushing home to get 10p from my mum, so I could buy the tapes I must have already listened to a dozen or more times!
Moving forward approximately 35 years; I had zero intention of actually purchasing a first edition when I entered Colin Page Books (in Brighton, Sussex) on Friday.
Although it's a specialist antiquarian bookshop - they also do a lot of bargains too, and from the outside table I'd picked up an 80p Ted Allbeury!! That was the only reason I went into the shop last week. However, once inside I thought I might as well have a look. They had a first edition Jennings (Anthony Buckeridge) in a locked cabinet that caught my eye, so I asked to see it. The brief conversation that followed led me to ask if he had any rare Chandler's or ACD's; At this point I was told about the first edition of The Hound they had in stock.
More out of interest than anything else I asked how much it was and I was slightly surprised at the seemingly good price. I've looked into them in the past (on a few occasions), and I either simply didn't have enough money or I just thought they were TOO expensive. Most of the time it was simply I couldnt afford it. Even after I knew the price Colin Page was asking, I still didn't think I was actually on the verge of buying it - but then the guy actually offered to show it to me!
As soon as I picked it up I knew it was possibly gonna end up coming home with me.
Published by George Newnes, Southampton Street, Strand, 1902. For a book that is now 109 years old, it was in really good nick.
I had a good look at it and said I'd think about it. The chap was very friendly and he wasn't at all pushy. He clearly knew that selling one of these wasn't an everyday occurence. He asked me if I'd ever spent that much on a book before. The straightforward answer was no!!
As soon as I left the shop I googled first editions of The Hound and double checked what the current going rate was. I already half knew this one was really pretty reasonable! Less than 10 minutes later and I was back in the shop asking to have another look. I double checked that it wasn't missing any of the 16 Sidney Paget pictures (plates) and asked if there was any room for negotiation on the price. He offered to knock £100 off. I said yes and took the little terror home!
I'm very very pleased with it.
