Book Title: Murder in Reverse by Anthony Webb
Publication Date: 1945 (First Edition)
Publisher: George G. Harrap & Co. Ltd., London
 
Book Overview:
 
This is a scarce and intriguing 1945 first edition of Murder in Reverse by Anthony Webb, published by George G. Harrap & Co. Ltd. Composed in classic Baskerville type and printed by C. Tinling & Co. Ltd., this volume is an excellent example of post-war British crime fiction.
 
The dust jacket is currently intact but in a notably worn and fragile state, showing multiple creases, rips, and rubbing, yet still bearing the original printed price. The book itself has been preserved with care and remains tightly bound with only minor defects, making it a highly collectable example for fans of mid-century crime fiction and wartime-era literature.
 
Dust Jacket:
 
Please note that the original dust jacket is in an extremely fragile state. It is nearly split down the spine and may become fully separated during handling or transit despite careful packaging. This condition is reflected in the price. The jacket remains valuable as it retains the original artwork and pricing information, which are highly desirable to collectors. While heavily worn, the survival of the jacket at all is uncommon for this 1945 edition, and it still adds significant bibliographic and historical interest to the book.
 
Historical Context:
 
Murder in Reverse was published during the final months of World War II, a time when British publishing faced paper rationing and resource scarcity. Books from this period, especially in their original dust jackets, are often less common due to their fragility and wartime distribution limitations.
 
Exterior Condition:
 
Bound in red cloth over boards with silver titles to spine
The binding remains robust, and the spine is intact
Bumping to corners; rubbing and fading at edges
Light wear to boards and spine, including light scratches
The red cloth is still mostly vibrant
 
Interior Condition:
 
Pages are lightly tanned with occasional small marks 
Light foxing to endpapers and some page margins, not obscuring the text.
Predominantly uncreased, though a few pages show small creases
Heavier creasing noted on the page facing p. 207/208
Small rip on inner margin adjacent page to title page and a few further pages with minor edge rips (do not affect text)
On page 95 (and overleaf) there is a small rip in the main face (please see the photograph of page 95 provided)
Remnant of a pencil mark on the front free endpaper
Tightly bound overall with no loose text pages
All 208 pages present and complete
 
Measurements:
 
Approximate size: 18.8 cm x 12.8 cm x 2 cm
Weight: 216 grams
 
Summary:
 
A scarce and well-preserved example of post-war British crime fiction in its original dust jacket. While the jacket shows considerable wear, the volume itself is sound and complete, offering a rare opportunity for collectors of early crime novels and wartime publications. This book would appeal to collectors of vintage thrillers, bibliophiles, and historians of British literature alike.
 
Please study the photographs carefully, as they form part of the description. A fragile but compelling title with significant historical interest.