Letters to Sherlock Holmes

Harmondsworth, England/New York: Penguin Books. Near Fine. 1985. First Edition. Softcover. [nice clean copy, no significant wear or markings except for a previous owner's name plus date & place of purchase in ink along the edge of the rear endpaper; also NOTE that the book is encased in a protective plastic cover, which is removable if desired (I have scanned the book with the cover in place)]. Trade PB (B&W photographs) "Year in and year out, the letters flood in to Number 221B, Baker Street, which is now the home of Abbey National Building Society. Some are naive, others envious, pleading and peremptory, and some offer intelligent criticisms. All of them testify to an undying curiosity in Conan Doyle's great creation. Every single one receives an answer from Mr. Holmes' secretary. Abbey National is proud to provide this service for the Great Detective and happy to collaborate in the compilation of this anthology. The Society's royalties will be donated to the British Heart Foundation." The book's Preface notes that this (originally) one-way correspondence began in 1890, when a Philadelphia tobacconist wrote to Holmes at his (fictional) 221B address to request a copy of the detective's (fictional) monograph on tobacco ash, and also discusses briefly the history of the real-life location and address itself. .