THE MINISTRY OF FEAR. New York: The Viking Press, 1943. Octavo, pp. [1-6] [1-2] 3-239 [240-242: blank] [note: last leaf is a blank], original black cloth, front panel stamped in light blue, spine panel stamped in light blue and white, top edge stained blue. First U.S. edition. "Arthur Rowe, on an aimless afternoon stroll through the streets of [World War II] London, dropped into a charity bazaar, had his fortune told and guessed the weight of a prize cake, and found himself groping his way down the obscure and unmarked corridors of the Ministry of Fear. As it happened, Mr. Rowe had for some time been incapable of being frightened, and the Ministry staff showed bad judgment in admitting him. It was their only diplomatic blunder, but it proved to be fatal" (from the jacket blurb). Fritz Lang filmed a highly moody version in 1944 with Ray Milland. Hubin (1994), p. 349. Pronzini and Muller, 1001 Midnights, pp. 316-17. A fine copy in very good dust jacket with some wear and rubbing at spine ends and corner tips, several scuffs and nicks to spine panel (perhaps a bit of insect tracking), and some dust soiling to rear panel. (#110255).
Price: $650.00
"PUBLISHED BY THE VIKING PRESS IN MAY 1943" on copyright page.