8vo. Half-title; numerous illustrations in the text by Sidney Paget. Early 20th-century blue calf gilt, spine in 6 compartments with 5 raised bands, morocco lettering-pieces gilt in 2, all edges gilt; FIRST STATE original light blue cloth with no street-sign text bound in at end. Provenance: Talbot (armorial bookplate).

"Rarely has a character so quickly established itself on the popular imagination as did Sherlock Holmes in the latter half of 1891” (Green & Gibson)."

FIRST EDITION, FIRST STATE with "Violent Hunter" for "Violet Hunter" on p.317. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes was the first collection of Holmes stories to be published, following closely upon the phenomenal success of the series in the Strand Magazine. Green and Gibson A10a, De Waal 520; Queen's Quorum 16.

[With:] DOYLE. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes. London: George Newnes, 1894. 8vo. Half-title; frontispiece and illustrations in the text by Sidney Paget. (Some very light spotting.) Early 20th-century blue calf gilt as above; original dark blue cloth bound in at end. Provenance: Talbot (armorial bookplate). FIRST EDITION. Green and Gibson A14a; De Waal 596.