The White Rider
London: Ward, Lock, 1928. From the Bart Auerbach Collection. 8vo. Original pale green cloth; in a dark morocco slipcase with red morocco spine labels. Item #409154
First edition of this crime novel and the author's second book. The dedication copy to his mother, inscribed by Charteris incorporating the printed dedication: "With love [to my Mother] from Leslie. Twenty second February 1928."
Charteris' first book, 'X Esquire,' was issued by Ward, Lock in 1927; his third – in which The Saint (Simon Templar) first appears – was published by the same firm in September 1928 and entitled 'Meet the Tiger.' 'The White Rider' was later serialized (in 1933) in 'Detective Weekly.' This, the first book by Charteris to have a dedication and the only one dedicated to his mother, is the fine Florence and Edward Kaye copy, with bookplate. Lofts and Adley, 'The Saint and Leslie Charteris' (1972), pp. 102-103; Symons, 'Bloody Murder' (1972), pp. 202-203. (BA).
Price: $5,000.00