Top: a rare work of 1894, a copy of Headon Hill’s Zambra the Detective. Some Clues from his Notebook in slightly discoloured red and gilt cloth, made £2000 (Maggs).
Middle: Unnatural Causes of 1967 was P.D. James’ third book and, lotted with copies of the second and fourth – A Mind to Murder (1963) and Shroud for a Nightingale (1971) it contributed towards a final bid of £3200. The author’s first book was Cover Her Face of 1962, which here made £2200.
Bottom: The Red House Mystery, a pre-Pooh detective story of 1922 by A.A. Milne, who wrote it for and dedicated it to his father. Sold at £1800.
Buyer’s premium: 17.5/15/10 per cent
Zambra the Detective, Unnatural Causes and The Red House Mystery
UK: THREE more selections from the Ronald Segal library which was auctioned off in Sotheby’s English Literature & History sale held on December 19.
