Stroke of One - R. A. J. Walling 1931 - Wm. Morrow &, New York - First American Edition A superb copy of Walling’s fifth novel, in fine dust jacket, without restoration.

The first work to feature detective Bill Garstang.
  Robert Alfred John Walling (1869-1948), was British journalist and later a magistrate in Plymouth. He did not begin to write mysteries until he was nearly sixty, his series characters were inspector Bill Garstang and the upper-class private investigator Philip Tolefree.

Published in London the same year, under the same title.

Reference: Haycraft,
Murder for Pleasure, 155. Symons, Bloody Murder 114. Reilly,Twentieth-Century Crime and Mystery Writers (1980), 1435.

Provenance: Small stamp of Damato’s Book Store, 32 East 28th St., to rear free endpaper.

Octavo (book size 19.6 13.7 cm), pp. [8] 310. Publisher’s black buckram, spine lettered in ruled in yellow, front board with title blocked and illustrated in yellow as if in torch light, and with publisher’s logo stamped in blind, pale green endpapers. Dust jacket priced $2.00 to upper corner of front flap, all corners lightly clipped, as published.
  Condition: Near fine, light rubbing and marks to outer edge of front board and small stamped number to lower corner of front free endpaper, in fine dust jacket.   Ref: 109476   Price: HK$ 4,000