" It is a man's duty to have books. A library is not a luxury, but one of the necessaries of life. "
— Henry Ward Beecher
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
Miss Marple's 6 Final Cases. and two other stories.
London: Collins, 1979. [Crime fiction] FINELY BOUND FIRST EDITION. Octavo (21 x 14cm), pp.138; [2].Finely bound by the Baker Bindery, Anniston, Alabama in green full morocco, with gilt titles and decoration to spine, green patterned paste-paper endpapers, generous turn-ins ruled in gilt, with gilt motifs of dagger, pistol, moustache and..... More
![Item #62340 Moord in de Pastorie. [Murder at the Vicarage]. Agatha CHRISTIE, Dame](https://harringtonbooks-co-uk.cdn.bibliopolis.com/pictures/62340.jpg?width=320&height=427&fit=bounds&auto=webp&v=1656172443)
Moord in de Pastorie. [Murder at the Vicarage].
Leiden: A.W. Sijthoff, 1964. [Crime Mystery] DUTCH FILM TIE-IN. Octavo (18 x 12cm), pp.181 [4]. Publisher's grey cloth with red titles to spine. With the dust-jacket showing still of Margaret Rutherford playing Miss Marple, not priced. Heavily browned to low-quality paper. Light handling only, with the jacket showing some toning..... More
The Mousetrap and Other Plays.
London: Harper Collins Publishers, 1993. [Crime Mystery Short Stories] FIRST THUS. Octavo (24 x 16cm), pp.[6] 714. Publisher's maroon cloth with gilt titles to spine. With the illustrated dust-jacket priced at £15.99. A clean, fine copy. Eight gripping plays here published for the first time in a book-form edition. Includes..... More
The Mousetrap. A Play in Two Acts.
London: Samuel French Limited, [circa 1990]. [Drama] CENTENARY EDITION. Octavo (22 x 14cm), pp.[2] 70 [4]. Publisher's yellow paper covers, illustrated to upper, reproducing the original from 1954. With a photogravure plate showing the set. Internally bright and clean. Minor crease to upper. A fine copy. First performed in 1952..... More
The Moving Finger.
New York, NY: Dodd, Mead and Company, 1942. [Murder mystery] FIRST EDITION. Octavo (20 x 15cm) pp.[vi]; 229; [5], blank. Publisher's red cloth blocked in black, fore-edge untrimmed, illustrated dust-wrapper by Koerner priced at $2.00 to front flap. Light wear to edges, owner name hidden beneath flap, else about fine..... More
Mr Parker Pyne Detective.
New York, NY: Dodd, Mead and Company, 1934. [Murder Mystery cases] FIRST US EDITION. Octavo (20 x 15cm) pp.vi; 245 [5]. Publisher's bright orange cloth with black titles to spine and upper. Top edge orange, fore-edge untrimmed, and patterned endpapers. With the illustrated dust-jacket, priced at $2.00. A crisp, clean..... More
Mrs McGinty's Dead.
London: The Crime Club by Collins, 1952. [Crime fiction] FINELY BOUND FIRST EDITION. Octavo (19 x 13cm), pp.188; [4] of advertisements. Finely bound by the Baker Bindery, Anniston, Alabama in green full morocco, with gilt titles and decoration to spine, green patterned paste-paper endpapers, generous turn-ins ruled in gilt, with..... More
Mrs McGinty's Dead.
London: The Crime Club by Collins, 1952. [Detective novel] FIRST EDITION. Octavo (19 x 13cm), pp.188; [4], advertisements. Publisher's red cloth with black titles to spine, in pictorial dust-wrapper by Kenneth Farnhill priced at 9/6. Book is slightly dusty, no inscriptions. Jacket with a little wear to joints and extremities..... More
Mrs McGinty's Dead.
London: The Crime Club by Collins, 1952. [Detective novel] FIRST EDITION. Octavo (19 x 13cm), pp.188 [4]. Publisher's red cloth with black titles to spine. With the illustrative dust-jacket. Internally clean with no inscriptions, some rolling to spine, dust-jacket price-clipped, gentle spotting to rear panel, some spotting visible only to..... More
The Murder at the Vicarage.
London: Published for the Crime Club by Collins, 1976. [Crime fiction] GREENWAY EDITION. Octavo (20 x 13cm), pp.[4]; 251; [3], blank. Bound in publisher's green cloth with pictorial dust-wrapper. Part of the uniform Greenway edition (although not stated, this matches the series which may have been named retrospectively). Top corner..... More
Murder In Mesopotamia (A Hercule Poirot novel).
London: For the Crime Club by Collins, 1936. [Detective Fiction] FIRST EDITION. Octavo (18 x 13cm), pp.284; [4], advertisements. Elegantly hand-bound in half tan calf over matching cloth sides, spine gilt-lettered in six compartments with traditional raised bands. Contents clean with a few small marks/spots within, exterior as new. A...... More
Murder In The Mews. 4 Poirot Stories.
London: For The Crime Club by Collins, 1937. [Detective mysteries] FIRST EDITION, Colonial copy. Octavo (19 x 13cm), pp.[ii]; 28; [4], advertisements; [2], blank. Publisher's orange cloth lettered in black to the spine. A. H. Wheeler's [Railway Bookstall Proprietors] 'Post Copy' stamp (priced in rupees) to free endpaper, neat ownership..... More
![Item #64187 Murder in Three Acts [Three Act Tragedy]. Agatha CHRISTIE, Dame](https://harringtonbooks-co-uk.cdn.bibliopolis.com/pictures/64187.jpg?width=320&height=427&fit=bounds&auto=webp&v=1686587283)
Murder in Three Acts [Three Act Tragedy].
New York, NY: Dodd, Mead and Company, 1934. [Detective Fiction] FIRST EDITION. Octavo (20 x 15cm), pp.[8] 279 [1]. Publisher's orange cloth, with black titles to spine and upper, and publisher's decorated endpapers. With the illustrated dust-jacket priced $2.00. Quite heavy wear to cloth at head of spine, otherwise crisp..... More
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd.
London: William Collins, 2011. [Crime Mystery] FACSIMILE EDITION, First thus (no later printings stated). Octavo (21 x 14cm), pp.237; [3]. Publisher's red cloth blocked in black. With the illustrated facsimile dust-jacket, priced at 7/6. Absolutely fine/as new. The definitive Christie mystery; widely regarded as one of the most influential crime..... More
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd.
London: Harper Collins, 2022. [Modern Literature] FIRST EDITION THUS. Octavo (23 x 15cm), pp.xiii; [3]; 269; [5], blank. Red cloth imitation paper over boards lettered and patterned in gilt with white lettered quotation to back. Printed price of £14.99 to lower board. Red Art Deco illustrative endpapers. Loosely inserted is..... More
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd.
London: W. Collins and Sons and Co. Ltd., 1926. [Crime Fiction] First Edition. Octavo (19 x 13cm), pp.312. Bound in publisher's dark blue cloth, red lettered title and border, with titles in red to spine. Contents clean, edges toned with some spotting, top edge browned, neat ink ownership to free..... More
The Mysterious Affair at Styles.
London: Harper Collins, 2022. [Modern Literature] FIRST EDITION THUS. Octavo (23 x 15cm), pp.xvii; [5]; 245; [5], blank. Green cloth imitation paper over boards lettered and patterned in gilt with white lettered quotation to back. Printed price of £14.99 to lower board. Green Art Deco illustrative endpapers. Some minor rubbing..... More
The Mysterious Mr. Quin.
London: W.Collins Sons and Co. Ltd. 1930. [Mystery novel] FIRST EDITION. Octavo, pp.287; [1], imprint. Finely bound by the Baker Bindery, Anniston, Alabama in green full morocco, with gilt titles and decoration to spine, green patterned paste-paper endpapers, generous turn-ins ruled in gilt, with gilt motifs of dagger, pistol, moustache..... More
The Mysterious Mr. Quin.
New York, NY: Dodd, Mead and Company, 1930. [Mystery novel] FIRST US EDITION. Octavo (19 x 14cm), pp.[8] 290 [2]. Publisher's pink cloth with black titles to spine and upper, and decorated endpapers. With the illustrated dust-jacket, priced at $2.00. Trivial rubbing to the top of the spine, which is..... More
Ordeal By Innocence.
London: For The Crime Club by Collins, 1958. [Crime Fiction] FIRST EDITION. Octavo (19 x 13cm), pp.256. Publisher's red cloth, titled in black, with typographical dust-wrapper, priced clipped. Discreet ownership hidden beneath flap. A few light spots/marks to rear but essentially a crisp, fine copy with particularly strong colours. Most..... More
Ordeal By Innocence.
London: For The Crime Club by Collins, 1958. [Crime Fiction] FIRST EDITION. Octavo (19 x 13cm), pp.256. Publisher's red cloth, titled in black. With the illustrated dust-jacket, priced at 12/6. Jacket lightly spotted to rear with one neat tear to same, and a little light general wear. Near fine. A...... More
The Pale Horse.
London: The Crime Club by Collins, 1961. [Crime fiction] FINELY BOUND FIRST EDITION. Octavo (19 x 13cm), pp.256. Finely bound by the Baker Bindery, Anniston, Alabama in green full morocco, with gilt titles and decoration to spine, green patterned paste-paper endpapers, generous turn-ins ruled in gilt, with gilt motifs of..... More
Parker Pyne Investigates.
London: Collins, 1934. [Crime fiction] FINELY BOUND FIRST EDITION. Octavo (19 x 13cm), pp.248; [6 of advertisements]. Finely bound by the Baker Bindery, Anniston, Alabama in green full morocco, with gilt titles and decoration to spine, green patterned paste-paper endpapers, generous turn-ins ruled in gilt, with gilt motifs of dagger..... More
Parker Pyne Investigates.
London: W. Collins & Son / The Crime Club / Harper Collins, 2013. [Crime Mystery] FACSIMILE EDITION. Octavo (19 x 13cm), pp.175; [1], blank. Publisher's red cloth with black titles and trim. With the illustrated facsimile dust-jacket, priced at 7/6 to backstrip. Some minor spotting; near fine. A collection of..... More
Partners in Crime.
London: Collins, 1929. [Detective fiction] FIRST EDITION. Octavo (19 x 13cm), pp.252; [4], advertisements. Publisher's black cloth with titles in red to spine and upper, ruled in red. With pictorial facsimile dust-jacket, produced by Facsimile Dust Jackets LLC. Foxing to fore-edge. Cloth is fresh with no wear to spine ends..... More