ALFRED HITCHCOCK AND THE THREE INVESTIGATORS #22 - THE MYSTERY OF THE DEAD MAN'S RIDDLE by WILLIAM ARDEN, illustrated by Jack Hearne, published by Random House, copyright 1974, First Printing (complete 1 - 9 0 numberline on copyright page), no references to Gibraltar Library Binding on rear cover, blue illustrated graveyard endpapers, matte boards (last book to have blue illustrated graveyard endpapers - and only found on the 1st printing). Book has no creased page corners, hint of dust soiling to outer page edges (no age darkening/foxing), no foxing to pages or endpapers, endpapers are clean and free from soiling or scotch tape marks, no tearing or splitting of page block from internal hinges (very very common defect with these early 3 investigator books - the glue on the page block is always separating from the boards), no former owner's markings or used bookseller stamps/stickers inside, no wear to board edges or board corners, almost no wear to spine tips, slight spine sun darkening (very common defect with this book), faint dust discoloration to rear board otherwise otherwise no soiling to boards, no color rubbing to rear board, no bumped board corners. Note: This book comes protected by a removable clear Brodart book cover (cover is not taped to book - it can be simply slipped off if desired) which prevents further rubbing/soiling damage to the outer boards. Any white marks/glare lines in the photo are simply glare from the flatbed scanner reacting to this Brodart cover (and are not actual defects with the book). Overall a FINE- book of a first hardcover printing Three Investigators book. I have a number of other hardcover and paperback Three Investigator books up for sale.
