"If one cannot enjoy reading a book over and over again, there is no use in reading it at all. "
— Oscar Wilde
Agatha Christie | First Editions
1890 - 1976
Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie, Lady Mallowan, DBE (née Miller; 15 September 1890 – 12 January 1976) was an English crime novelist, short story writer and playwright. She also wrote six romances under the name Mary Westmacott; however, Christie is best known for the 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections that she wrote under her own name, most of which revolve around the investigative work of such characters as Hercule Poirot, Jane Marple, Parker Pyne, Ariadne Oliver, Harley Quin/Mr Satterthwaite and Tommy and Tuppence Beresford. Christie also wrote the world's longest-running play, a murder mystery entitled The Mousetrap. In 1971, she was made a Dame for her immense contribution to literature.
Christie was initially unsuccessful in getting her work published, but in 1920 The Bodley Head press published her novel The Mysterious Affair at Styles, featuring the character of Hercule Poirot. This launched her literary career. Today, the Guinness Book of World Records lists Christie as the best-selling novelist of all time. Her novels have sold roughly 2 billion copies worldwide, and her estate claims that her works come third in the rankings of the world's most-widely published books (behind Shakespeare's works and the Bible). Christie remains the world's most-translated individual author – having been translated into at least 103 languages. And Then There Were None is Christie's best-selling novel, with 100 million sales to date, making it the world's best-selling mystery ever. Nearly all of Christie's books and short stories have been adapted for television, radio, video games and comics, and more than thirty feature films have been based on her work.
See below our stock of Agatha Christie First Editions, fine bindings, sets, and signed copies.
Agatha Christie
The Body in the Library. Script for the BBC Radio play.
London: British Broadcasting Corporation, [1998]. [Detective fiction drama] An original production-used script for the Radio 4 'Saturday Play', adapted from the best-selling novel The Body in the Library by Agatha Christie, directed by Enyd Williams, starring June Whitfield as Miss Marple, with Richard Todd, Pauline Jameson and Graham Crowden. Quarto..... More
![Item #71488 [Screenplay] Murder in Mesopotamia. Film script. Agatha CHRISTIE, Julian BOND,...](https://harringtonbooks-co-uk.cdn.bibliopolis.com/pictures/71488.jpg?width=320&height=427&fit=bounds&auto=webp&v=1744302134)
[Screenplay] Murder in Mesopotamia. Film script.
Sydney: Burbank Films, 1987. [Film material] Vintage original script for the unmade film adaptation based on the best-selling novel by Agatha Christie. Octavo (28 x 22cm), pp.93, mimeograph, in textured orange card wrappers with die-cut title window, bound internally with two clasps. Studio details to title page redacted with Tippex..... More
![Item #71489 [Screenplay] Murder With Mirrors. Film script. Agatha CHRISTIE, Julian BOND, adaptation](https://harringtonbooks-co-uk.cdn.bibliopolis.com/pictures/71489.jpg?width=320&height=427&fit=bounds&auto=webp&v=1744302134)
[Screenplay] Murder With Mirrors. Film script.
Burbank: Warner Bros., 1984. [Film material] Vintage original production-used script for the film adaptation based on the best-selling novel by Agatha Christie. Octavo (28 x 22cm), pp.117, mimeograph, in textured light blue card wrappers with die-cut title window, bound internally with two clasps. Minor annotations to title page. Accompanied by..... More
![Item #74486 [Screenplay] The Mirror Crack'd From Side To Side. Film script. Agatha CHRISTIE,...](https://harringtonbooks-co-uk.cdn.bibliopolis.com/pictures/74486.jpg?width=320&height=427&fit=bounds&auto=webp&v=1771867147)
[Screenplay] The Mirror Crack'd From Side To Side. Film script.
London: G.W. Films Ltd, July 1978 [released 1980]. [Movie memorabilia] Vintage original production-used script for the film adaptation based on the best-selling novel by Agatha Christie, starring Angela Lansbury as Miss Marple, and an all-star cast including Elizabeth Taylor, Tony Curtis, Kim Novak, Rock Hudson, Charles Gray, Edward Fox and..... More
The Hollow: Associated British Picture Corporation (ABPC) reader's report, assessing the novel's potential for film adaptation.
N.p. [London: Elstree Studios/ABPC], 1951. [Literary and cinematic critique] Elstree Studios' report on the first stage adaptation of the Hercule Poirot detective novel The Hollow. 3pp., typed report on rectos only, reader's delivery stamp to first page. Together with a first edition of the play/acting edition (Samuel French, 1952). Perforations..... More
The Pale Horse: Associated British Picture Corporation (ABPC) reader's report, favourably assessing the novel's potential for film adaptation, together with a First Edition book.
N.p. [London: Elstree Studios/ABPC], 1961. [Literary and cinematic critique] Elstree Studios' report of the detective novel The Pale Horse. 4pp., typed report on ABPC headed paper, rectos only, reader's delivery stamp to first page dated 9 October 1961. Report: Perforations down left edge from office binding. Very well preserved. Book..... More
4.50 From Paddington: Associated British Picture Corporation (ABPC) reader's report, assessing the novel's potential for film adaptation, together with a First Edition book.
N.p. [London: Elstree Studios], 1957. [Literary and cinematic critique] Elstree Studios' report of the 'Miss Marple' murder-mystery novel 4.50 From Paddington. 3pp., typed report on rectos only, reader's delivery stamp to first page dated 5 November 1957. Perforations down left edge from office binding. Very well preserved. Book: some dustiness/toning..... More
A Murder is Announced. Script for the BBC Radio play.
London: British Broadcasting Corporation, [1998]. [Detective fiction drama] An original production-used script for the first episode of the Radio 4 play, adapted from the best-selling novel 'A Murder is Announced' by Agatha Christie, directed by Enyd Williams, starring June Whitfield as Miss Marple, with Ian Lavender, Judy Cornwell and Graham..... More
![Item #72602 Contributes The Second Gong [Hercule Poirot], in The Strand Magazine, July 1932,...](https://harringtonbooks-co-uk.cdn.bibliopolis.com/pictures/72602.jpg?width=320&height=427&fit=bounds&auto=webp&v=1753114503)
Contributes The Second Gong [Hercule Poirot], in The Strand Magazine, July 1932, Volume 84, No.499.
London: George Newnes, Ltd., 1932. [Literature/ Crime Fiction] FIRST APPEARANCE as of this Poirot detective mystery as published in The Strand, in the original colour-illustrated paper covers, priced at 1s. Octavo (25 x 19cm). With frequent illustrations, some in colour. Issue is sewn at spine. Contents clean, covers show some..... More
![Item #72600 Contributes The £10 Adventure [Mr. Parker Pyne], in The Strand Magazine, November...](https://harringtonbooks-co-uk.cdn.bibliopolis.com/pictures/72600.jpg?width=320&height=427&fit=bounds&auto=webp&v=1753114503)
Contributes The £10 Adventure [Mr. Parker Pyne], in The Strand Magazine, November 1932, Volume 84, No.503.
London: George Newnes, Ltd., 1932. [Literature/ Crime Fiction] FIRST APPEARANCE as of this Parker Pyne mystery as published in The Strand, in the original colour-illustrated paper covers, priced at 1s. Octavo (25 x 19cm). With frequent illustrations, some in colour. Issue is sewn at spine. Contents clean, promotional insert still..... More
They Do It With Mirrors. Associated British Picture Corporation (ABPC) reader's report, unfavourably assessing the novel's potential for film adaptation, together with a First Edition book.
N.p. [London: Elstree Studios/ABPC], Collins, 1952. [Literary and cinematic critique] Elstree Studios' report of the 'Miss Marple' murder-mystery novel They Do It With Mirrors, rejecting the novel as unsuitable for filming. 3pp., typed report on rectos only. Perforations down left edge from office binding. Very well preserved. Book: some dustiness..... More
The Clocks. Associated British Picture Corporation (ABPC) reader's report, favourably assessing the novel's potential for film adaptation, together with a First Edition book.
N.p. [London: Elstree Studios/ABPC], Collins, 1963. [Literary and cinematic critique] Elstree Studios' report of the 'Hercule Poirot' murder-mystery The Clocks, considering the novel as suitable for filming. 5pp., typed report on rectos only. Blue ink rubber-stamped date-received [25 Nov 1963] to front. Perforations down left edge from office binding. Very..... More
Destination Unknown. Associated British Picture Corporation (ABPC) reader's report, unfavourably assessing the novel's potential for film adaptation, together with a First Edition book.
N.p. [London: Elstree Studios/ABPC], Collins, 1954. [Literary and cinematic critique] Elstree Studios' PRE-PUBLICATION report of the Casablanca-based espionage novel Destination Unknown, rejecting the novel as unsuitable for filming. 2pp., typed report on rectos only. Blue ink rubber-stamped date-received [1 Nov 1954] to front. Perforations down left edge from office binding..... More
The Mousetrap. A Play. Associated British Picture Corporation (ABPC) reader's report, favourably assessing the play's potential for film adaptation. Together with a copy of the original theatre programme.
N.p. [London: Elstree Studios/ABPC], Ambassadors Theatre, 1952. [Literary and cinematic critique] Elstree Studios' report of the play, recommending it as suitable for filming. 6pp., typed report on rectos only. Rubber-stamped ink date-received [17 Dec 1952] to front. Perforations down left edge from office binding. Very well preserved. Programme is very..... More
Towards Zero. A Play. Associated British Picture Corporation (ABPC) reader's report, unfavourably assessing the play's potential for film adaptation. Together with a copy of the published book.
N.p. [London: Elstree Studios/ABPC], Samuel French, 1956, 1957. [Literary and cinematic critique] Elstree Studios' report of the muder-mystery play Towards Zero, rejecting the piece as unsuitable for filming. 2pp., typed report on rectos only. Rubber-stamped ink date-received [9 Jul 1956] to front. Perforations down left edge from office binding. Very..... More
Cat Among the Pigeons: Associated British Picture Corporation (ABPC) reader's report, unfavourably assessing the novel's potential for film adaptation, together with a First Edition book.
N.p. [London: Elstree Studios, ABPC/Warner Bros.], Collins, 1959. [Literary and cinematic critique] Elstree Studios' report of the 'Hercule Poirot' murder-mystery novel Cat Among the Pigeons, rejecting the novel as unsuitable for filming. 4pp., typed report on rectos only, reader's delivery stamp to first page dated 16 November 1959. Perforations down..... More
The Mirror Crack'd From Side To Side. Associated British Picture Corporation (ABPC) reader's report, unfavourably assessing the novel's potential for film adaptation, together with a First Edition book.
N.p. [London: Elstree Studios/ABPC], Collins, 1962. [Literary and cinematic critique] Elstree Studios' report of the 'Miss Marple' murder-mystery novel The Mirror Crack'd From Side To Side, rejecting the novel as unsuitable for filming. 5pp., typed report on rectos only. Blue ink rubber-stamped date-received [21 Nov 1962] to front. Perforations down..... More
Go Back For Murder. A Play. Associated British Picture Corporation (ABPC) reader's report, unfavourably assessing the play's potential for film adaptation. Together with vintage theatre programme.
N.p. [London: Elstree Studios/ABPC], Grantley & Co., 1960. [Literary and cinematic critique] Elstree Studios' report of the play, recommending it as unsuitable for filming. 6pp., typed report on rectos only. Rubber-stamped ink date-received [29 Feb 1960] to front. Perforations down left edge from office binding. Very well preserved. Programme is..... More
Contributes 'Destination Unknown' to 'John Bull' magazine, September 25, October 9, 23, 16, 1954.
London: Odhams Press, 1954. [Literary magazine] FIRST APPEARANCE, also FIRST ILLUSTRATED APPEARANCE. Four of Five issues. Newspaper format magazines (34 x 26cm). In publisher's colour illustrated softcovers, each priced fourpence. Minor handling, staples rusted else exceptionally well preserved. Near-complete serial printing of this famous Agatha Christie mystery, prior to its..... More
Two New Crime Stories. The Under Dog, and Blackman's Wood by E. Phillips Oppenheim.
London: The Readers Library Publishing Co., no date [1929]. [Detective Fiction] FIRST EDITION. Small octavo (17 x 11cm), pp188; [2], advertisements. Publisher's burgundy cloth gilt-stamped to upper and spine. With the illustrated dust-wrapper by Vernon L Soper. Contents toned as expected, slight lean, gilt to spine dulled, bright dust jacket..... More
Two New Crime Stories. The Under Dog, and Blackman's Wood by E. Phillips Oppenheim.
London: The Readers Library Publishing Co., no date [1929]. [Detective Fiction] FIRST EDITION, first impression. Small octavo (17 x 11cm), pp188; [2], advertisements. Publisher's burgundy cloth gilt-stamped to upper and spine. With the illustrated dust-wrapper by Vernon L Soper. Contents toned as expected, slight lean, gilt to spine dulled, dust..... More
Black Coffee.
London: Harper Collins, 1998. [Crime fiction] FIRST EDITION. Octavo (23 x 15cm), pp.[iv]; 188. Publisher's black cloth lettered in silver to spine. With the dust-jacket illustrated by Andrew Davidson, priced at £15.99. Toning to edges of textblock, with a little light handling, jacket a touch edge worn. A country house..... More
The ABC Murders.
London: W. Collins & Son / The Crime Club / Harper Collins, 2012. [Detective novel] FACSIMILE EDITION. Octavo (21 x 14cm), pp.212; [10], blank. Publisher's red cloth blocked in black. With the illustrated dust-jacket priced at 7s 6d to front flap. A fine, as-new copy. A facsimile of the original..... More
The ABC Murders.
London: BCA by arrangement with HarperCollinsPublishers, 2006. [Murder-mystery] FACSIMILE EDITION, book club issue, first thus. Octavo (21 x 13cm), pp.252; [4], ads. Publisher's black cloth over boards with gilt titles to spine. With the striking dust-jacket, priced 7/6. Slightly dusty else a clean, near fine copy. A facsimile of the..... More
The ABC Murders.
London: Published for the Crime Club by Collins, 1936. [Crime Fiction] FIRST EDITION, first impression. Octavo (19 x 14cm), pp.252; [4], publisher's advertisements. Publisher's orange cloth lettered in black to spine. Contents and edges clean, no inscriptions, endpapers lightly toned, loss to each corner of rear endpaper, cloth is bright..... More