The Return of Solar Pons

5b August Derleth. Sauk City, Wisconsin: Mycroft & Moran, 1958. First Edition SIGNED.

Notes

The Return of Solar Pons is a collection of detective stories by August Derleth, first published in 1958, and part of his long-running homage to Sherlock Holmes. Solar Pons, the central character, is Derleth’s original creation—a detective in the Holmesian mold, complete with a loyal companion, Dr. Lyndon Parker (a clear stand-in for Dr. Watson), and a London setting that echoes Baker Street. Pons operates from 7B Praed Street and shares Holmes’s brilliant deductive powers, eccentric habits, and flair for dramatic solutions.

In The Return of Solar Pons, Derleth continues to revive the spirit of classic Victorian detective fiction while introducing his own twists and modern touches. The stories blend traditional mystery plotting with hints of the supernatural, intricate puzzles, and clever villains, appealing to both fans of Conan Doyle and readers of weird fiction. While pastiche by nature, Derleth’s work stands out for its respectful tone and genuine affection for the genre. This volume is part of the broader Solar Pons series, which remains one of the most successful and enduring Sherlock Holmes-inspired bodies of work in 20th-century detective literature.

Description

Black cloth with original dust jacket. Signed by the author on the front endpaper. Dust jacket designed by Frank Utpatel. Ordinary wear to the dust jacket with a couple closed tears at the spine. Unclipped. Fine condition overall.