THE SIGN OF THE FOUR-SHERLOCK HOLMES-1890-FIRST EDITION LIPPINCOTTS MAGAZINE-ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE-FEBRUARY, 1890 Start Price USD 3,998.00 Current Price USD 3,998.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Saturday, September 27, 2008 End Time Wednesday, November 26, 2008 Location Harpers Ferry, WV See more about 'THE SIGN OF THE FOUR-SHERLOCK HOLMES-1890-FIRST EDITION' Description THE SIGN OF THE FOUR by Arthur Conan Doyle. Published; February, 1890 in Lippincott's Magazine. This bound volume contains January to June copies of Lippincott's Magazine of 1890 without the magazine covers. This Sherlock Holmes novel FIRST APPEARED in of "Lippincott's Monthly Magazine" for February 1890 as "The Sign of the Four" (five-word title), appearing in both London and Philadelphia, the American issue appearing first, and was published in book form in October of that year in London. Doyle later described how he was commissioned to write the story over an August 30, 1889, dinner with Joseph M. Stoddart, managing editor of Lippincott's Monthly Magazine, at the Langham Hotel in London. Stoddart wanted to produce an English version of Lippincott’s with a British editor and British contributors.  The dinner was also attended by Oscar Wilde. Over the following few months in the same year, the novel was then re-published in several regional British journals. These re-serializations gave the title as Sign of Four (four-word title). The novel was published in book form in October 1890 by Spencer Blackett, again using the title The Sign of Four. The title of both the British and American editions of the this first book edition omitted the second "the" of the original title. Valuations of the First Edition of the Blackett book place it between $10-20,000. A copy of the individual Lippincott's magazine go for $8000-12000.    The remainder sheets of the First Edition Blackett book which were later bound together and issued sell for $4000.00-$5000. This is the basis of for the price for this volume.   Bound volumes like the one offered here have become extremely rare.  They are almost non-existent having been snapped up by collectors. Currently there are none on the internet that we have found.     CONDITION: The book has been rebound into a new covers. The Lippincott's Title page to the book has two margin edges clipped off but repaired with archival tape.   This does not affect the text as seen in the pictures.  Also, a very small hole has been repaired in the center of the Lippincott's Title page . Otherwise they are clean. The pages for "The Sign of the Four" are in Very Good minus condition.  Almost all of the pages are clean. A few pages have edge stains.  One page has a one inch margin tear repaired with archival tape.  Two pages have the right margin edges reinforced with archival tape to prevent tearing, since they are more worn along the edge than the others. Overala, Very Good minus. Shadows on two book edges above are from books being used to hold down pages.  The plot concerns Holmes's investigation into the murder of Bartholomew Sholto, his search for Jonathan Small, and the Agra treasure (original subtitled "The Problem of the Sholtos") and Watson's romance with Mary Morstan. The novel first appeared in the February 1890 edition of Lippincott's Monthly Magazine 'It was really "The Sign of the Four" that started the legend of Holmes going, which is what led to the further series of stories which made Holmes world famous. ''It sets up the powerful contrast between the very gruff and hearty Dr. Watson and the brilliant, prickly Sherlock Holmes.'' Shipping and handling by media mail (4-14 days)is $4.00. Priority mail ( 2-4 days)is $11.00. Insurance is extra and is required.  We assume no responsibility for uninsured items except to help buyer recover his costs with the post office.  A Signature by the buyer is required to receive the book from the carrier. Outside the U.S.A.: Please wait to have shipping cost determined after sale or write for a quote before hand and emailed to you. There is a $2.00 handling charge. We only accept Paypal for foreign purchases. Foreign buyers must pay for insurance if purchase is over $100. Recent changes in shipping costs have made shipping overseas more expensive. We accept Paypal, money orders. Payment is requested within 10 days. If paying by Paypal, we only ship to a CONFIRMED ADDRESS if the purchase is over $50. Thanks for looking. Powered by eBay Turbo Lister The free listing tool. List your items fast and easy and manage your active items. Place a Bid!