This book appears in all respects to be the first edition of Chandler's classic 1940 detective novel pubished by Alfred A. Knopf, except for the slipcase it is in and the notice on the copyright page that it is a facsimile published by the First Edition library in 1967. Raymond Chandler is widely regarded as the best American crime writer of the 20th cnetury. This was his second Philip Marlowe novel, and many consider it to be his masterpiece. The first printing of the 1940 original was only about 7,500 copies. This copy of the book is in Like New condition. The jacket is crisp, showing vitually no wear; however, on the back is a stain transferred from the inside of the slipcase. In addition to that inside stain, the case also has a stain on the back (see scans for both exterior stains); o/w, the case is likewise in excellent shape. (Inserted inside the book is a First Edition Library card describing the book's history.) This is an uncommon facsimile of a great American mystery novel.