The Maltese Falcon

by Hammett, Dashiell

The Maltese Falcon, author Dashiell Hammett’s third novel, set the standard by which all subsequent detective fiction would be judged. Set in San Francisco in the late 1920s, the novel introduces us to private detective Sam Spade, who characterizes the archetype of the hard-boiled detective in his dead-pan pursuit of the recovery of a black figurine. Having worked for a time for the Pinkerton Detective Agency in San Francisco, Hammett reportedly drew upon his years as a detective in creating Spade and many of the other characters for The Maltese Falcon.

The Maltese Falcon was originally serialized in HL Mencken’s “pulp” magazine, Black Mask, beginning with the September 1929 issue. For publication of the book form, editor Blanche Knopf tried to tone down the overt sexuality of the magazine version, fearing the references would alienate readers, but Hammett prevailed. However, the 1941 film adaptation starring Humphrey Bogart and Mary Astor (the best known of the novel’s three film versions) excised the homosexual subtext of the novel due to Production Code restraints. Today, the movie is considered a film noir classic and the novel is ranked 56th on Modern Library’s “100 Best” English-language novels of the 20th century as well as 54th on The Guardian’s list of the 100 best novels.

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First Edition Identification

Originally published in serial form in the magazine Black Mask, it was published in book form by Alfred A. Knopf in New York in 1930. Bound in grey cloth, the book is perhaps more well-known for its iconic yellow dust-jacket, with its deco typeface and stark image of a perched falcon. As is the custom for Alfred Knopf from this period, the first edition is recognizable by the absence of any statement of printing on the copyright page. The first state dust jacket has an advertisement on the rear panel for Hammett's other novels, priced at $2.00. One of the most desirable of all modern first editions, the Maltese Falcon can fetch upwards of $100,000 in a pristine first state jacket, and easily five figures in a second state jacket. 

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The Maltese Falcon
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The Maltese Falcon

by Dashiell Hammett

Condition
Used - Very Good+
Jacket Condition
Very Good+
Published
1930
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Scotia, New York, USA
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Grosset and Dunlap reprint, undated, with the 1930 Knopf copyright notice reproduced on the copyright page. Guessing circa 1935 for a printing date, as the title page does not have the "wartime paper" blurb. Condition of the book is Very Good Plus. The binding is straight and sound. Inside pages are complete and unmarked. Condition of the dust jacket is Very Good Plus.… Read more about this item
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SGD 266.45
The Maltese Falcon
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The Maltese Falcon

by Hammett, Dashiell

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Used - Near Fine
Edition
First edition
Published
1930
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Pasadena, California, USA
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SGD 4,030.88

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New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1930. First edition. Near Fine. A solid Nearly Fine copy of Hammett's masterpiece, lacking the original dust jacket. Spine just minutely toned, otherwise very bright and fresh. Hammett's classic hard-boiled detective tale, which would go on to influence countless others in the genre. The story features the first appearance of Sam… Read more about this item
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SGD 4,030.88
The Maltese Falcon

The Maltese Falcon

by Hammett, Dashiell

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Used - Very Good
Jacket Condition
Not Issued
Published
1957
Binding
Hardcover
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Woodlawn, Illinois, USA
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New York, New York, U. S. A.: Alfred a Knopf Inc, 1957. Hardcover. Very Good/Not Issued. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. No Edition Or Printing Stated. The Book Is Bound In Blue Over One Quarter Red With Gilt Stamped Lettering On The Spine. Minor Wear.
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The Maltese Falcon
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The Maltese Falcon

by Hammett, Dashiell

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Used - Near Fine in Very Good+ dust jacket
Published
1930
Binding
Hardcover
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Northridge, California, USA
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NY: Grosset & Dunlap. Near Fine in Very Good+ dust jacket. 1930. Hardcover. Green cloth titled in dark green with falcon design to front cover. Rubbing/wear to spine end/points, pages toned. Else square, tight and unmarked. The DJ in mylar is chipped, edgeworn, with some edge tears and mild soil. A wartime book, Madison Square to flap.… Read more about this item
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The Maltese Falcon (Exceptionally Well Preserved Fourth Printing)

The Maltese Falcon (Exceptionally Well Preserved Fourth Printing)

by Hammett, Dashiell

Condition
Used - Fine
Jacket Condition
No Jacket
Edition
1st Edition 4th Printing
Published
1934
Binding
Hardcover
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Pasadena, California, USA
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SGD 1,024.80

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New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1934. 1st Edition 4th Printing. Hardcover. Fine/No Jacket. 267 Pp.Grey Cloth Stamped In Blue And Brown. Stated Fourth Printing, June 1930. Near Fine, Just A Hint Of Even Age Toning To Covers, No Staining Or Foxing Or Fading. Small Owner's Signature At Upper Left Corner Of Front Free Endpaper.
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SGD 1,024.80
The Maltese Falcon (First Edition)
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The Maltese Falcon (First Edition)

by Dashiell Hammett

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Used
Edition
First Edition
Published
1930
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Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1930. First Edition. First Edition. Perhaps the most influential single work in solidifying the conventions, style, and character of hard-boiled fiction, both a cornerstone and highlight of any collection of twentieth century fiction. Basis for three film adaptations between 1931 and 1941-the 1941 groundbreaking adaptation by John Huston starring Humphrey Bogart legendary… Read more about this item
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The Maltese Falcon
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The Maltese Falcon

by Hammett,Dashiell

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Used
Published
1930.
Binding
Extravagantly bound in full, gilt ruled ebony Morocco by Zahensdorf for Asprey of London. gilt-ruled spine compartments with gil
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San Anselmo, California, USA
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New York. Alfred A. Knopf. 1930. Extravagantly bound in full, gilt ruled ebony Morocco by Zahensdorf for Asprey of London. gilt-ruled spine compartments with gilt titles. Gilt-tooled raised bands, head and tailpieces. Extremely elaborate fleural turn-ins. Marbled endsheets. All edges gilded. 8vo.(5"x7.5"). The First Printing of The First Edition. Innocuous tiny patch of rubbing to front… Read more about this item
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The Maltese Falcon
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The Maltese Falcon

by Hammett, Dashiell

Condition
Used - Original grey cloth stamped in blue with falcon motif with some soiling, and some toning to spine, otherwise near fine condition
Edition
First edition, fourth printing
Published
1930
Binding
Title page printed in black with falcon in blue. [xii], 267, [1, imprint] pp. 1 vols. 8vo
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New York, New York, USA
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SGD 47,824.00

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New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1930. First edition, fourth printing. Title page printed in black with falcon in blue. [xii], 267, [1, imprint] pp. 1 vols. 8vo. Original grey cloth stamped in blue with falcon motif with some soiling, and some toning to spine, otherwise near fine condition, inscribed by the author on the front flyleaf. Bookplate of Joyce… Read more about this item
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SGD 47,824.00
THE MALTESE FALCON.

THE MALTESE FALCON.

by HAMMETT, Dashiell.

Condition
Used - 8vo, 280pp. A good hardback copy with darkened spine. Foxing to edges and rear pages. Light offsetting to endpapers. Previous ow
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Camberwell, Victoria, AUS
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Alfred A. Knopf, London, 1930. First U.K. edition. . 8vo, 280pp. A good hardback copy with darkened spine. Foxing to edges and rear pages. Light offsetting to endpapers. Previous owner's name and gift inscription. No dust jacket. .
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SGD 2,223.75
The Maltese Falcon

The Maltese Falcon

by Hammett, Dashiell

Condition
Used - Good
Edition
1st Printing
Published
1944
Binding
Mass Market Paperback
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Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, CAN
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New York, NY, USA: Pocket Books Inc., 1944. 1st Printing. Mass Market Paperback. Good. [4], 203, [1]pp. Red endpapers. Prev owner stamp on title page and ffep. Prev owner name inked on ffep. Textblock edges dyed red, fading near binding. Illustrated wrapper showing soiling and wear commensurate w age and handling, soft vertical creasing… Read more about this item
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The Maltese Falcon
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The Maltese Falcon

by Dashiell Hammett

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Used - Very Good
Jacket Condition
Good+
Published
1934
Binding
Hardcover
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Winston, Georgia, USA
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New York: Modern Library (Random House), 1934. Hardcover. Very Good/Good+. 12mo - over 6¾ - 7¾" tall. See photos for details. Hardcover with dust jacket. First modern library edition thus with single date of 1934 listed on the copyright page (after the 1929 and 1930 Alfred A. Knopf editions). Dust jacket front flap shows 95… Read more about this item
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THE MALTESE FALCON
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THE MALTESE FALCON

by Hammett, Dashiell

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Used
Edition
First Edition, First Printing
Published
1930
Binding
Hardcover
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Rockville, Maryland, USA
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New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1930. First Edition, First Printing. Hardcover. Octavo, 267 pages. In Good plus condition, and lacking issued dust jacket. Bound in gray cloth with black and blue decoration, with white lettering. Moderate shelf wear. Soiling to covers and spine. Fraying to cloth around edges. Flaps from previous jacket glued to pastedowns, and back panel of… Read more about this item
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The Maltese Falcon

The Maltese Falcon

by HAMMETT, Dashiell

Condition
Used - Fine
Jacket Condition
Very Good
Published
1931
Binding
Hardcover
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Gloucester City, New Jersey, USA
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New York: Grosset & Dunlap, 1931. Hardcover. Fine/Very Good. Grosset and Dunlap reprint, using sheets from the seventh Alfred A. Knopf printing. Fine in attractive, very good dust jacket with one small internal repair and a light dampstain on the rear panel. An attractive alternative to the rare and expensive true first edition.
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SGD 1,366.40
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The Maltese Falcon (Facsimile Dust Jacket for the 1st Edition Book-JACKET ONLY; NO BOOK)

by Hammett, Dashiell

Condition
Used
Jacket Condition
As New
Published
2014
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Ventura, California, USA
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Ventura, CA: John Anthony Miller Studio, 2014. A rendered facsimile dust jacket for the 1930 first edition book of "The Maltese Falcon." The jacket was rendered by artist and rare book seller John Anthony Miller and archival ink and special paper were used. Jacket comes trimmed and enclosed in a Mylar jacket protector, ready to put on the book. There… Read more about this item
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The Maltese Falcon
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The Maltese Falcon

by Dashiell Hammett

Condition
Used - Near fine
Jacket Condition
No jacket
Published
1983
Binding
Hard cover
ISBN 10
0910457018
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Berkeley, California, USA
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The Arion Press, 1983. Hard cover. Near fine/No jacket. Limited to 400cc. One fold-out sheet creased along the edge. In slipcase.
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Maltese Falcon
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Maltese Falcon

by HAMMETT, Dashiell

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Used
Published
1930
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Beverly Hills, California, USA
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SGD 2,527.84

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New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1930. Full Description: HAMMETT, Dashiell. The Maltese Falcon. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1930. First edition. Octavo (7 7/16 x 5 1/8 inches; 188 x 131 mm). [4, blank], [8], 267, [1], [4, blank] pp. Original light gray cloth decoratively stamped in dark grayish blue and black on front cover and… Read more about this item
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The Maltese Falcon (The Modern Library, No. 45)

The Maltese Falcon (The Modern Library, No. 45)

by Hammett, Dashiell

Condition
Used - Good
Jacket Condition
Good
Edition
Reprint
Published
1934
Binding
Hard Cover
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1
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Webster, New York, USA
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SGD 239.12

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New York: The Modern Library, 1934. Reprint. Hard Cover. Good/Good. 8x5x1. Kauffer, E. McKnight. 1944-53 printing, Toledano 045.2, binding/jacket style 8h with 309 titles on verso, 95 cent jacket price, grey Rockwell Kent endpapers, E. McKnight Kauffer jacket art. Jacket edges rubbed with minor loss from corners and a few light creases along edges, light stain on spine… Read more about this item
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THE MALTESE FALCON.
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THE MALTESE FALCON.

by HAMMETT. DASHIELL

Condition
Used
Edition
First edition.
Published
1930
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London, Greater London, GBR
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SGD 3,455.20

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Alfred A Knopf. New York. 1930. FIRST EDITION. 8vo. (7.7 x 5.6 inches). viii,268pp. A bright clean copy in a fine recent leather binding. Full black morocco. Spine with raised bands. Red title label, gilt. Compartments with gilt lettering, ruled lines and decoration. Top edge gilt, other edges untrimmed. Original cloth front board, with Falcon design in black, and decorative… Read more about this item
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The Maltese Falcon

by Hammett, Dashiell

Condition
Used - Very Good+ with no dust jacket
Published
1930
Binding
Hardcover
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Northridge, California, USA
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SGD 2,732.79

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New York: Knopf. Very Good+ with no dust jacket. 1930. Hardcover. Light gray original cloth with gray topstain. Spine and board edges toned. Bookseller sticker to ffep. Trace of foxing to text block edges. Square, tight unmarked first edition copy, in fine facsimile DJ in mylar. ; 8vo 8" - 9" tall .
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SGD 2,732.79
The Maltese Falcon

The Maltese Falcon

by HAMMETT, Dashiell

Condition
Used - Very Good
Edition
Reprint.
Published
1975
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10
033024261x
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Auckland, NZL
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SGD 12.30

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London: Pan Books, 1975 A very good copy with a price mark on the front cover.
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