Mrs. McGinty’s Dead by Agatha Christie — 1952 First UK Edition

MRS. MCGINTY’S DEAD
Agatha Christie

A first UK edition, first impression of Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot mystery, published by Collins for The Crime Club in 1952.

The copyright leaf states “Printed in Great Britain, Collins Clear-Type Press: London and Glasgow, 1952,” with no later impression indicated. The original illustrated dust jacket is present. The American Dodd, Mead edition appeared shortly before the Collins issue, making this the first UK edition rather than the worldwide first edition.

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS

Author: Agatha Christie
Publisher: Collins for The Crime Club
Publication Year: 1952
Edition: First UK Edition
Printing: First Impression
Format: Hardcover with original illustrated dust jacket
Language: English
Country of Printing: Great Britain
Publisher/Series Number, if applicable: The Crime Club

CONDITION

Good overall, with the dust jacket in Fair to Poor condition.

The original dust jacket shows substantial age and handling wear. The front panel has rubbing, scuffing, edge and corner wear, shallow creasing, small chips, and short tears, with wear concentrated along the upper edge, lower edge, and folds. The red, green, and black colors remain visible, though there is fading and general surface wear.

The rear jacket panel is heavily toned and soiled, with extensive rubbing and a large irregular area of surface and printed-paper loss across the upper-right and central portions, obscuring part of the printed text. The jacket spine and adjacent fold show fading, rubbing, chipping, and areas of paper loss. The jacket flaps and original price were not photographed, so price-clipping status cannot be confirmed.

A portion of the original red cloth binding is visible and appears generally sound. The photographed interior paper is lightly age-toned with scattered small spots and marks. No signature, inscription, bookplate, or ownership marking is visible in the supplied photographs.

The title page, full boards, book spine, hinges, page edges, jacket flaps, jacket verso, and complete interior were not photographed and therefore cannot be fully assessed.

COLLECTOR’S NOTE

The Collins Crime Club first UK edition was published on March 3, 1952. The original domestic jacket was priced 9s 6d net, while copies intended for export were issued without a printed price. Even worn original jackets add meaningful collector interest, although the extensive rear-panel loss substantially affects this copy’s value.

SHIPPING

Carefully packed and shipped with protective materials to help ensure safe arrival.