Dashiell Hammett, 1934

The Thin Man
Dashiell Hammett, 1934
HAMMETT, Dashiell (1894-1961). The Thin Man. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1934.

First edition of Hammett's controversial fifth and final novel. Sinclair Lewis described Hammett as "undoubtedly the best of American detective story writers, and The Thin Man is certainly the most breathless of his stories" (Nolan). The story of married detective couple Nick and Nora Charles quickly inspired the series of films starring William Powell and Myrna Loy, with the first one released on 25 May 1934, Hammett was able to live for a decade off earnings from the franchise. Layman A6.1a; see William F. Nolan, Hammett: A Life at the Edge, p. 139.

Octavo. Original cloth (mottled fading); green pictorial dust jacket (spine panel sunned, some overall rubbing, edgewear); custom box.