Chandler, Raymond; Genevraye, Genevieve de (translator)

Adieu, Ma Jolie [Farewell, My Lovely]. Série Noire

Paris: NRF/Gallimard, 1950. Early Printing. Octavo, publisher’s black and yellow paper-covered boards, original printed dust jacket.

Early French edition of crime fiction master Raymond Chandler’s Farewell, My Lovely (1940), issued in the iconic French crime fiction series Série noire. The second novel Chandler wrote featuring Philip Marlowe, the novel revolves around the Los Angeles private eye as he searches for a woman's missing husband. Established by American literature specialist Marcel Duhamel and published by Gallimard, Série noire specialized in Anglo-American hardboiled detective thrillers. Founded in the immediate aftermath of WWII, the series was immensely successful, and is credited for bringing American pop culture into France and launching the careers of English-language writers on an international level. Notably, this Chandler title specifically is credited for making Série noire a commercial success. Translated from the original English by Geneviève de Genevraye. Text in French. Originally issued in 1948. Tape residue to endpapers, light rubbing to edges; unclipped dust jacket chipped at tail of spine and to edge of lower flap, with some general rubbing. Very good. Item #5310

$50.00