The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes With: The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes. by Conan Doyle, Arthur - 1892 and 1894

London: George Newnes, 1892 and 1894. First editions of Arthur Conan Doyle's classic stories starring literature's most famous detective, with a signature from him laid in. Octavo, original pictorial black and gilt-stamped light blue and dark blue cloth, patterned endpapers, all edges gilt. First issues, the first title with the street scene vignette with no text on the street sign. Illustrated by Sidney Paget. With Typed Letter Signed of Denis P.S. Conan Doyle, Los Angeles, August 31, 1940, to Norman Taurog, thanking him for their recent meeting, complimenting him on his fine Doyle collection, and sending him a clipped Arthur Conan Doyle signature. In near fine condition with touch of shelfwear. Housed in custom half morocco clamshell boxes. An exceptional set, most rare and desirable in this condition. "The initial 12 tales were collected between covers as The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, published in England and America in 1892; and 11 of the second 12... as The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, published in 1894. If any reader be prepared to name two other books that have given more innocent but solid pleasure, let him speak now-- or hold his peace!" (Haycraft, 50). These volumes contain such famous and memorable tales as "A Scandal in Bohemia" and "The Adventure of the Speckled Band." Of special note is the last case in the Memoirs, "The Final Problem," in which Holmes apparently meets his death in a struggle with "the Napoleon of crime," Professor Moriarty. "At one point, tiring of the detective, Doyle attempted to exterminate him... but the clamor of his admirers forced him to resurrect Holmes for several further volumes, and his popularity has waned little since" (Benet, 273). With Sidney Paget's original, iconic illustrations: "Paget's spirited illustrations... greatly assisted to popularize those stories" (DNB).