Doyle, Sir Arthur Conan.

Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. New York: Harper and Brothers, 1892, illustrations by Sidney Paget, 4pp. of publisher's advertisements at the end, previous pencil ownership signature on front endpaper, a fine copy; Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes. New York: Harper and Brothers Publishers, 1894, first American edition, illustrations by Sidney Paget and W.H. Hyde, 6pp. of publisher's advertisements at the end, pencil ownership signature on front endpaper, lower hinge starting, otherwise a fine copy; 8vo (183 x 120mm.), uniformly bound in original light blue cloth with Gordian knot illustration in dark blue on upper cover and lettered in gilt, each volume preserved in folding blue cloth case and quarter blue morocco slipcase (2)

Green & Gibson A10b; A14b;

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

First American editions of the two classic, and phenomenally successful, collections of the early Sherlock Holmes stories. The American Adventures was published on 15 October 1892, the day after the English edition, and the American Memoirs on 2 February 1894, around six weeks after the English edition.
"The Adventure of the Cardboard Box", appearing here in the Memoirs, was suppressed and not included in the first English edition, quite possibly because of its illicit love affair and double murder (see Green & Gibson, p.76).