Detectives of Europe and America or Life in the Secret Service by McWatters, George S

Detectives of Europe and America or Life in the Secret Service: A Selection of Celebrated Cases in Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Russia, Poland, Egypt, and America. A Revelation of Struggles and Triumphs of the most Renowned Detectives on the Globe for the Past Twenty-Five Years. Profusely Illustrated. McWatters, George S. late member of the American Secret Service. Published by The J.B. Burr, Publishing Company, Hartford, 1883. 8vo up to 9½" tall. 848 pages including Author's Preface, Publishers Introduction, Biography of George S. McWatters (author) prepared by a 'well known' writer at the request of the Publisher (7-20 pages), List of 40 Illustrations including frontispiece of the author and, Table of Contents.

Burgundy cloth boards. Black and gilt titles front board with gilt illustration of watching eye over a gilt banner: "Wide Awake". Back board mirrors front with titles and illustration in black only. Spine titles, text and illustration in gilt; Justice is Blind illustration under which is written: "Vanishing the Guilty Protects the Innocent". Some fading to front board with loss of black ink; gilt remains bright. Very light rubbing to tail and head of spine with moderate rubbing to bottom corners. Contents have light toning and otherwise fine without marks, tears or folds. Pages are tight and binding firm with a slight lean to spine. Overall quite collectible in very good plus condition.