THE RAT BEGAN TO GNAW THE ROPE By C. [Cornelius] W. [Warren] Grafton New York: Farrar Rinehart, Inc., (1943). First edition. Farrar Rinehart's first edition seal to the copyright page. The author's first novel, winner of the prestigious Mary Roberts Rinehart Mystery Contest Prize. C.W. Grafton taught and mentored his daughter Sue Grafton in writing at a young age. He was a lawyer in Louisville, Kentucky and wrote four mysteries, the first two of which featured affable Kentucky detective and lawyer Gil Henry, with the series' titles using the first and then the second line of a nursery poem. Sue Grafton was inspired by her father's nursery rhyme series featuring Gil Henry (which was not completed) to create and complete her alphabetically titled mystery series. A decently preserved collectible. Previous owner's name and 1943 date to the front end-paper, inner hinge areas age-toned as usual, faint damp-stains to the lower covers near the spine, else very good in khaki -beige linen with plum embossed titles and Mystery Prize Winner insignia to the front cover and to the spine; in an about good dust jacket with damp staining to the verso of the lower spine and front panels, a 1.5" tear to the upper front spine fold, creases and short tears to the upper and lower ends of the front panel, chips, short tears and rub-wear to the upper and lower spine ends; original printed $2.00 price hidden beneath an Oxford University insignia sticker to the front inner flap. The jacket will be placed in a quality Brodart brand, clear, removable protective sleeve, after photographing for this entry. PLEASE VIEW OUR STORE FOR MORE GREAT FIRST EDITION VINTAGE BOOKS THANKS! Created by Seller's Assistant Basic.