The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes.

CONAN DOYLE, Arthur.

Item Number: 70052

London: George Newnes, 1894.

First edition, first printing of Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic work starring literature’s most famous detective. Octavo, original pictorial black and gilt-stamped dark blue cloth, patterned endpapers, all edges gilt. In fine condition. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. With 90 illustrations by Sidney Paget. An exceptional example, with the clamshell box protecting it since publication.

In the last of these 11 stories, “The Final Problem,” Sherlock Holmes apparently meets his death in a struggle with “the Napoleon of crime,” Professor Moriarty. Fearing posterity would remember him only as Holmes’ creator, Conan Doyle had resolved to kill off his star detective; an acquaintance later recalled the author remarking, “If I don’t… he’ll kill me.” “Doyle attempted to exterminate [Holmes]… but the clamor of his admirers forced [Doyle] to resurrect Holmes for several further volumes, and his popularity has waned little since” (Benet, 273).