A CORNERSTONE OF AMERICAN NOIR

Chandler, Raymond (1888–1959)

Farewell, My Lovely [First Edition Library Facsimile Edition]

Shelton, Connecticut: First Edition Library, [1990].

A FAITHFUL FACSIMILE OF ONE OF AMERICAN NOIR'S DEFINING NOVELS.
Raymond Chandler's second Philip Marlowe novel firmly established the hard-boiled detective as one of American literature's defining characters. Set amid the corruption and glamour of wartime Los Angeles, Farewell, My Lovely combines Chandler's unforgettable prose with an intricate mystery that has become a cornerstone of twentieth-century crime fiction.

The novel inspired three film adaptations, including Murder, My Sweet (1944), starring Dick Powell, and the celebrated 1975 adaptation starring Robert Mitchum.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Octavo hardcover. First Edition Library facsimile of the 1940 Alfred A. Knopf first edition, faithfully reproducing the original binding, dust jacket, and design. Issued in the publisher's pictorial slipcase. Originally published by Alfred A. Knopf in 1940.

CONDITION: Fine and unread. Housed in a Fine dust jacket and Fine pictorial slipcase. An exceptional collector's example.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE: A LANDMARK OF AMERICAN NOIR —
First published in 1940, Farewell, My Lovely helped define the modern detective novel through Chandler's distinctive blend of lyrical prose, moral ambiguity, and unforgettable atmosphere. Philip Marlowe emerged as the archetypal private investigator—intelligent, cynical, and guided by a personal code of honor in a corrupt world.

First Edition Library reproductions have long been appreciated by collectors for their careful attention to the appearance and construction of important first editions, allowing readers to experience landmark works in a format closely resembling the originals.

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
+++ Philip Marlowe Classic — The second appearance of Chandler's legendary private detective.

+++ Faithful Facsimile — First Edition Library reproduction closely follows the appearance of the scarce 1940 Knopf first edition.

+++ Cinema Legacy — Basis for three feature films, including the noir classic Murder, My Sweet (1944) and the Robert Mitchum adaptation (1975).

SUBJECTS: Raymond Chandler; Philip Marlowe; American Mystery; Hard-Boiled Fiction; Noir; Detective Fiction; First Edition Library; Crime Fiction; Classic Literature, Mystery; Detective Fiction; Crime Fiction; Noir; Modern Firsts.

Item #22247

Price: $100.00