Midland Murders Hauntings and Odd Characters 1937 First Edition Rare
 
Title & Bibliographic Details
MIDLAND MURDERS, HAUNTINGS and ODD CHARACTERS
By “QUAESTOR” (W. Byford-Jones)
Birmingham: Cornish Brothers Limited, Publishers to the University, 39 New Street, Birmingham, [1937].
First edition, [1937]. The book itself is undated and does not state an edition. The 1937 publication date is established by the Birmingham City Libraries catalogue, which records the work under W. Byford-Jones, by Quaestor, and describes it as essays from the Express and Star, with a foreword by B. Lane and illustrations. No evidence of a later edition or reprint has been located.
The book comprises the preliminary pages and 128 pages of text and is illustrated throughout.
 
Historical & Bibliographic Context
An unusual and highly elusive collection of Midland stories by the journalist and author W. Byford-Jones, writing under his pen name Quaestor.
The author's note explains that the chapters originally appeared in the Wolverhampton Express and Star, and that the author obtained permission from the editor to republish them in book form.
The contents range across murders, unsolved mysteries, hauntings, séances and unusual characters associated with the Midlands. Among the illustrated subjects is Dr Palmer of Rugeley, Staffordshire, who was hanged for the murder of Cook. Other chapters include “Kidnapping or Murder” and “A Séance and a Challenge”, while a full-page photographic illustration depicts Hatherton Hall, Cannock, the residence of Lord and Lady Hatherton.
The book is therefore of particular interest not only as an early collection of crime and supernatural material, but also as a piece of regional journalism and social history, preserving stories and characters associated with the English Midlands in the inter-war period.
 
About the Author
W. Byford-Jones (1905–1977), whose full name was Wilfred Byford-Jones, was an English journalist, writer and British Army officer. He was Deputy Editor and News Editor of the Wolverhampton Express and Star and published extensively under the name Quaestor. His later work included books on the Middle East, travel and the history of oil production.
His association with the Express and Star is particularly relevant here, as the present volume explicitly states that its chapters were originally published in that newspaper.
About the Foreword
The book contains a foreword by Benson Lane, who writes appreciatively of Byford-Jones's development as a writer and of his ability to find human interest and drama in the West Midlands.
Lane was also associated with the Wolverhampton Express and Star, with contemporary material identifying his contributions to the newspaper during this period.
 
Binding & Exterior Description
Original yellow paper-covered boards and spine, with black block lettering to the upper cover and further lettering to the spine.
The binding remains intact but shows age and handling wear. There is discolouration and creasing to the spine, small marks and a slight lean. The spine has several small tears, together with a horizontal tear and associated mark, perhaps from an old repair.
Please refer carefully to the photographs, which form an important part of the description.
 
Interior Condition
The book has thick paper stock, which is lightly tanned, with foxing throughout and also to the page edges.
The pages are otherwise generally neat and predominantly uncreased, with only occasional small marks. There are a few very small marginal tears, including occasional tears at the inner margin. These do not affect the text or illustrations.
The binding remains secure. There are very light gutter cracks between a handful of pages, but these do not affect the overall integrity of the binding.
All preliminary pages and all 128 pages of text are present.
 
Physical Details
Dimensions: 18.9 × 12.5 × 2.5 cm
Weight: 264g
Illustrated: Yes
Dust jacket: None present
Rarity & Collector Notes
This is an uncommon and elusive regional publication.
It is particularly suited to collectors of Midlands history, regional journalism, true crime, unexplained phenomena, ghost stories, local history and the work of W. Byford-Jones.
 
Provenance
An ownership inscription to the front pastedown reads “W. M. Gloom”.
The identity of the former owner has not been established, and no further provenance is present.