The Maltese Falcon

A genuine first edition of Dashiell Hammett's masterpiece — confirmed by the copyright page, which reads "Copyright 1929, 1930 by Alfred A. Knopf, Inc." with no statement of additional printings, and carries the Borzoi running dog colophon. The title page features the iconic teal falcon illustration printed in blue-teal ink, with "New York · Alfred A. Knopf · London / 1930" below.

BIBLIOGRAPHIC DETAILS

• First Edition, First Printing (Copyright 1929, 1930)
• Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf, New York and London
• Binding: Original gray cloth with Art Deco geometric spine design in teal and charcoal, now aged to a warm tan and charcoal — characteristic of this binding over time
• Falcon motif stamped on front board
• Top edge stained blue

CONDITION NOTES

The binding is structurally sound and the text block tight. The cloth has aged from its original gray to a warm tan/ochre tone, consistent with a 95-year-old copy. Spine shows fraying at crown and tail. Front and rear boards are clean with minor edge wear. Interior pages are clean and bright with light age toning to paper, no foxing or tears. Previous owner's light pencil notations on front endpaper.

No dust jacket, as is typical of surviving copies at this age.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Published in February 1930, The Maltese Falcon introduced Sam Spade and defined hard-boiled American detective fiction. Hammett drew directly on his years as a Pinkerton detective, and the result was a novel that rewrote what crime fiction could be. It was reprinted seven times in its first year. The 1941 John Huston film adaptation starring Humphrey Bogart remains one of the foundational works of noir cinema. The novel ranks among the Modern Library's 100 best English-language novels of the twentieth century.

One of the most significant American first editions of the twentieth century. This item ships with signature confirmation and insurance only.