When I reviewed The Return of the Continental Op a couple of weeks ago (that's HERE), I noted that one of the stories, "Death & Company" (from the November 1930 Black Mask), had been out of print since 1947. At the time, I had it in my brain that this was the only Op tale so neglected. I was wrong.
Hammett scholar Robb McAllister kindly reminded me that the story "It" (from Black Mask of November 1, 1923) has been out of print since 1951. That story last appeared, under the title "The Black Hat That Wasn't There" in the digest collection Woman in the Dark.
That any Hammett stories are unavailable today is a travesty, and that Op stories are out of print is a crime. So I've scanned the digest versions of both tales, and I'm happy to share. Email me at delewis1@hotmail.com, and I'll shoot them back at you.
And do not fail to check this week's line-up of Forgotten Books - at pattinase.
6 comments:
I don¡t read much noir. but among the few wordsmits i read is hammet. A story no reprinted from him is a shame!
All of Hammett should be available as an ebook!
This is great! How did work of the master escape reprints all these years? So these stories are in public domain--do you have any plans to create an e-book?
I'm pretty sure neither of these is in public domain. Why they were not included in the 2005 collection Lost Stories is a mystery to me.
Deka, I don't consider Hammett as "noir".
George, no, it should ALL be available IN PRINT, ink on paper.
Evan, thats so much for making these available!
I just found a 1974 copy of The Continental Op selling for $7.95. Has 7 stories with a huge 29 page introduction by Steven Marcus. Love it when people take the v time to share their stories via an intro. Look forward to yours as well Evan. This book has 1. The 10th clew 2. The golden horseshoe 3. The house in Turk street 4. The girl with the Silver eyes 5. The Whosis kid 6. The main death 7. The farewell murder.....
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