Inscribed first edition, association copy, of this late Hercule Poirot novel — signed to theater impresario Peter Saunders, aka "The Mousetrap Man," who produced Christie's earlier hit play MOUSETRAP.
Very good in very good plus jacket.
Price: $7,500.00
"Yes, I think eight months." — Agatha Christie, on MOUSETRAP's prospects
MOUSETRAP, Christie's theatrical locked-room whodunit, has for many years held the record for the longest-running play in London's West End and is now — at more than 30,000 performances and ten million audience members — one of the most successful in the world. Originally mounted in 1952 (with Richard Attenborough in the lead and based on Christie's short story "Three Blind Mice"), the author later recalled discussing MOUSETRAP at that time with Saunders, who produced the play and to whom this book is inscribed. Saunders suggested the play might run some fourteen months, but Christie disagreed: "It won't run that long. Eight months perhaps" (AUTOBIOGRAPHY, 500). Saunders and Christie were close for decades, with Saunders serving as producer for most of her plays and Christie dedicating her novel MRS. MCGINTY'S DEAD to him ("To Peter Saunders, In gratitude for his kindness to authors"). Saunders would go on to title his 1972 memoir — for which Christie penned the introduction — THE MOUSETRAP MAN. A remarkable and close association from this master of mystery.
First printing. London: Crime Club / Collins, (1969). 7.75'' x 5''. Original full orange cloth. In original unclipped (£1.25 net) color pictorial jacket. 256 pages. Inscribed in year of publication by Christie on the front free endpaper: "For Peter / with love & best wishes / from / Agatha / Nov 1969." Small closed tear to top edge of front panel of jacket. Minor rubbing, edgewear. Moderate stain to rear endpaper at fore-edge and lower edge (only) of book. Overall, sound.
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