THE BLACK STAR, Johnston McCulley, 1921 first edition

The Black Star was the first of numerous criminal masterminds whose depredations were chronicled by prolific pulpster Johnston McCulley, also the creator of Zorro. The character appeared in Street & Smith’s Detective Story Magazine beginning in 1916, with the initial series installments credited to “John Mack Stone.” This 1921 volume, published by Street & Smith’s hardcover imprint Chelsea House, reprints those earliest stories and restores McCulley’s byline. Black Star was the first of the pulp supervillains and established the template for dozens who would follow in rough-paper periodicals, making this book a must-have for serious collectors of the form. Note: This copy has the Edgar Franklin Wittmack frontispiece that identifies first editions; later reprints dropped the illustration.

Condition: A strong Very Good Plus, which is a high grade for surviving copies of this book. It’s tight and clean, with no discernible shelf wear and only very light bumping of corners. The text block is white, having been printed on better-quality paper than later editions, which boast the usual pulpy stock. There’s some discoloration on both front and back endpapers. A very solid copy of a scarce and desirable book, one of the earliest Chelsea House releases.

SORRY, BUT THIS ITEM IS AVAILABLE TO DOMESTIC U.S. BUYERS ONLY.  COST OF MAILING INCLUDED IN PURCHASE PRICE.