c1901 The Mystery of a Hansom Cab

Description

Publishers' Original Binding

The 401st thousandth, undated, dated c1901 from the adverts.

This novel was such a sensational hit that 25,000 copies were published a month in England from July 1887 onwards, this printing being from January 1888. The work was so popular that is outsold the first Sherlock Holmes novel, 'A Study in Scarlet', selling so many copies that it became the best-selling mystery novel of the Victorian era.

'The Mystery of a Hansom Cab' is an Australian mystery novel, first published in Australia 1886, and England in 1887.

Set in Melbourne, the mystery focuses on a murder, in which a body is discovered in a hansom cab. Though being a gripping mystery the novel is woven with an exploration with the class divide in the city as well.

By Fergus Hume, a prolific novelist who is best known for this work. This novel was based on his knowledge of Little Bourke Street. The first edition was self-published, but Hume sold the rights for fifty pounds before it saw great success, and didn't benefit from the financial popularity.

Adverts to the wraps and endpapers.