Christie, Agatha. The Hound of Death’, UK first edition, together with an original Christie letter addressed to film director Lionel Jeffries with superb content. Odhams Press, 1933.

Price: US$6689.12 + shipping

Condition: Very Good

Description: Agatha Christie (1933) ‘The Hound of Death‘, UK first edition, first printing, published by Odhams Press. Together with and original handwritten and signed letter addressed to film director Lionel Jeffries with superb content (see below). The Hound of Death is a short story collection which includes the story ‘The Witness for the Prosecution’ mentioned in the letter. The letter: on Winterbrook House stationary one sheet, folded in half creating four pages. On three pages, dated 20th May [1971], “from Dame Agatha Christie” in hand on top: “Dear Mr Jeffries | I have wanted to| wite to you for some time | because of the enormous | pleasure that the film of | The Railway Children gave | me – It was my | favourite book as a child | & up to the age of 24 at | least I still used to occasionaly | to read it – | I dreaded going to see | the film because nearly | always films of ones | favourite books are a | disastous disappointment – | But this was so perfectly | produced & acted – | I gather you are the | person I thank for the | great pleasure it gave me – | Except for the Witness | for the Prosecution which | was good, all the films | that have been made from my | stories & books I have | hated! | Thank you again – I | hope this reaches you, but | I am a little uncertain | about the address | Yours sincerely | Agatha Christie Mallowan” A scarce and beautiful letter with superb content in which Christie reveals that she hated all of the film and TV- adaptations of her work bar Witness for the Prosecution (1957 starring Marlene Dietrich in the Billy Wilder film). The Hound of Death (1933) is a short-story collection which contains the story Witness for the Prosecution which has been adapted several times for the TV and cinema including the above-mentioned version. Lionel Jeffries (1926-2010) was an actor and film director. His adaptation of Railway Children, based on the famous E. Nesbit novel (1906) was released in December 1970, so Christie’s letter was most likely written in 1971. Condition of the book: a very good copy in like dust jacket. The book bears no previous owners’ scribbles, no stamps and no bookplates. A few typical faint foxing spots but no heavy foxing as other copies often display. The boards are rubbed in places with dust soiling as shown. The spine is faded but has not gobne completely pale as with most copies. The dust jacket has a few tears and light edge wear. However, no slarge sections are missing as with the majority of specimen found. A nice copy. First and Fine

Seller: First and Fine, Birmingham, United Kingdom