Meet Me At the Morgue *Signed 1st edition* de Macdonald, John Ross - 1953

NY: Alfred A. Knopf Borzoi, 1953. First Edition. Hardcover. Near Fine/Very Good. Signed. Signed first edition/first printing of the author's fifth crime novel, a departure in tone and feeling from the preceding Lew Archer mysteries. The protagonist is Howard Cross, a county probation officer, the crime is kidnapping and the kidnapper is one of Cross's clients. Signed John Ross MacDonald to the front free endpaper. Book is near fine in deep yellow patterned paper covered boards and crisp black titles to the spine. The back free endpaper has .39 in ink near the bottom close to the spine. The price-complete dustwrapper is worn at the head and heel of the spine with closed tears to the front fold near the spine; there is a dark spot at the bottom front panel that obscures part of the cover artist's name (Bill English). Photos available on request. All of our first editions are first printings unless otherwise noted. Dustwrappers are protected with clear archival wraps and we pack each book like it's a Tiffany egg.