The Great Portrait Mystery, a first edition published by Hodder & Stoughton in 1918, showcases R. Austin Freeman’s deft storytelling, blending detective ingenuity with tales of art and deception. This very good copy bears a small, neat date inscription on the front free endpaper, with unblemished contents free of foxing throughout. The covers remain clean and unmarked. A collection of short stories featuring Freeman’s meticulous sleuthing, this volume captures the essence of early 20th-century crime fiction. Well-preserved, it offers collectors a fine example of Freeman’s contribution to the genre, resonant with the era’s investigative spirit.

SOLD October 2025