The Murders in the Rue Morgue
“The debut of the ratiocinative Chevalier Auguste Dupin in ‘The Murders in the Tur Morgue,’ published in the April 1841 issue of Graham’s Magazine, marked the first appearance of a true detective story...” -J. Jenneth Van Dover
FIRST EDITION OF POE'S The Murders in the Rue Morgue, the first detective story, along with first printings of four other Poe stories. An outstanding copy in fine contemporary (possibly publisher’s deluxe) calf gilt.
“‘The Murders in the Rue Morgue’ was published in Graham’s Magazine in 1841. The idea beneath the ‘skin’ of the first detective story was, ‘To observe attentively is to remember distinctly...’ This was the first in a set of what Poe termed ‘tales of ratiocination,’ in which logical reasoning leads to the solution of a mystery or crime. Certainly, his contribution to what has been an extremely popular form of fiction deserves special attention because it was his first-- an original. Poe came to consider the story one of his best...
“‘The Murders in the Rue Morgue’ was not only the first modern detective story, it became a lasting model for one of the most popular genres. Interrogation of suspects, analysis of evidence, final theatrical revelation of the solution-- all here, all first” (Bloomfield, The Everything Guide to Edgar Allan Poe Book).
This volume also contains first printings of Poe's A Descent into the Maelstrom, Colloquy of Manos and Una, Never Bet Your Head and The Island of Fey.
IN: Graham's Lady's and Gentleman's Magazine, Vols XVIII and XIX (January-December, 1841), pp. 166-179 (Vol XVIII) . Philadelphia: George R. Graham, 1841. Tall octavo, contemporary (possibly publisher’s deluxe) black polished calf, intricately gilt-tooled boards and spine, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. A tall copy with extremely wide margins. Small marginal edge chip (not affecting text) on first page of Rue Morge, a little bowing to rear board; otherwise fine. Exceptionally rare to find in such a magnificent contemporary binding.
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