Famous Feats of Detection and Deduction by Ellery Queen (First Edition), 1938 🕵️‍♂️📚🕰️

1. Introduction 📜🔍

Famous Feats of Detection and Deduction by Ellery Queen. Published in 1938, this volume is a sought-after collectible from the heart of the "Golden Age of Detective Fiction." It is a literary cornerstone of the genre, a compilation that not only entertains but also serves as a masterclass in the art of the mystery puzzle.

2. About the Book 📖✍️✨

This book is a masterfully curated anthology of short stories, showcasing the best examples of detective fiction from the era. The collection adheres to the "fair play" rules of the Golden Age, providing readers with the same clues as the detective to solve the mystery themselves. The stories are intricate, puzzle-based, and emphasize deductive reasoning over emotional drama. This work is a testament to the intellectual game that defined the mystery genre in the mid-20th century.

3. About the Artist/Author/Maker ✍️🏛️

Ellery Queen is a pseudonym created and shared by two American cousins, Frederic Dannay (1905–1982) and Manfred B. Lee (1905–1971). They are considered the foremost American authors of the Golden Age of mystery. Beyond their novels, they co-founded and edited Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, which became one of the most influential crime publications of all time. Their work is a foundational element of American detective fiction.

4. Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜

Published in 1938, this book sits at the end of the "Golden Age" of Detective Fiction, a period defined by the intellectual, puzzle-based mystery. This era was a reaction to the trauma of World War I, with authors and readers seeking refuge in the logical, orderly world of the crime puzzle. This volume, a collection of some of the era's finest stories, provides a fascinating look into the social and cultural anxieties of a generation seeking order in a chaotic world.

5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️

This book is a perfect fit for a curator of classic mystery fiction, a fan of the "Golden Age" of detective fiction, or a bibliophile specializing in early genre novels. Its status as a first edition of a key collection from a genre-defining author makes it a non-replicable item for a collection focused on the evolution of modern literature.

6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️

This edition of Famous Feats of Detection and Deduction is a rare and highly sought-after first edition. Its value is derived from its status as a classic work by a master of the genre and the scarcity of first editions in good condition. We estimate its fair market value to be in the $30 to $75 range. This book represents a strategic investment for a discerning collector, a testament to the enduring appeal of books that can make us think.

7. Condition 🔎📚✨

This book is in well-preserved condition for a volume of its age. The hardcover binding shows minor signs of wear and aging, but the pages and the text block are clean and secure. A first edition in this state is a testament to the care and preservation it has received over the years.

8. Translation of Inscriptions/Ephemera (Conditional) ✍️📜🔤

This book does not contain any personal inscriptions, which is often desirable for a collectible of this type. Its value is derived from its intrinsic quality and a perfect state of preservation, exactly as it was intended to be received by the original reader.

9. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩

• Ellery Queen is also the name of the fictional detective in the books, a writer who helps his father, Inspector Queen, solve baffling cases.

• The authors of the Ellery Queen novels were famous for including a "Challenge to the Reader" in their early books, a page where they declared that all the clues had been given to solve the mystery.

• The Ellery Queen stories have been adapted for radio, television, and film, cementing their place in pop culture history.

• Ellery Queen, as an anthologist, is considered by some critics to be "the most important American in mystery fiction" after Edgar Allan Poe.

10. Supporting Information 🏷️📦💰

• Title: Famous Feats of Detection and Deduction

• Author: Ellery Queen

• Year: 1938

• Publisher: Blue Ribbon Books, Inc.

• Place of Origin: New York, New York, USA

• Format: Hardcover

• Edition: First Edition

• Rarity: Rare