The People of the River by Edgar Wallace
First Edition - 1912

Published by Ward, Lock & Co., Limited
Decorative Black Cloth with Gilt and Colour Blocking / Illustrated / No Dust Jacket
 
Description
 
A handsome and desirable first edition of The People of the River, the 1912 adventure novel by Edgar Wallace, bound in its striking original black cloth with gilt titles and red and green Art Deco-style decoration to the spine and front board. The binding remains sharp and vibrant, a beautiful example of Edwardian publisher’s cloth design.
This volume includes a vivid colour frontispiece protected by its original tissue guard, adding to its appeal. It features 318 pages, followed by 16 pages of publisher’s advertisements at the rear. Page block is thick, crisp, and bright for its age, printed on substantial paper stock.
 
Physical Condition
 
A very good copy, complete and tightly bound.
The boards and spine are strong, with only light rubbing and minor corner bumping.
Gilt titling and colour blocking remain vibrant and distinct.
Spine shows a slight lean and very minor shelf wear.
Internally bright and clean throughout, with occasional light marks and some age-related tanning to endpapers.
A very small patch of excess paper at p. 227/228.
A couple of  faint gutter cracks - not affecting binding integrity.
A discreet pencil note on the front pastedown (erasable); no other writing or inscriptions.
 
No dust jacket.
 
Dimensions
 
Approx. 19.5 cm x 13.5 cm x 4.1 cm
Weight: c. 460 grams
 
About the Author & Work
 
Edgar Wallace (1875–1932) was a prolific British novelist, journalist, and playwright, best known for his thrilling crime and adventure stories. His influence on popular fiction was profound; he penned over 170 novels and was a co-creator of the original story for King Kong.
 
The People of the River by Edgar Wallace was serialised in 1911 and first published in book form in 1912 by Ward, Lock & Co. 
 
The People of the River is part of his “Sanders of the River” series, set in British colonial Africa, and features Commissioner Sanders, an early literary example of the imperial administrator-hero. While reflective of its time, this series remains a fascinating historical artefact of British imperial adventure fiction.
 
First editions in this decorative binding are increasingly scarce in a collectible condition.