The Revenge of the Hound 1987 First Edition Hardcover by Michael Hardwick

🔍 The Revenge of the Hound: 1987 First Edition with Jim Steranko Illustrations

*A sanctioned Sherlock Holmes pastiche by Baker Street Irregulars honoree Michael Hardwick*

**THE AUTHOR**

Michael Hardwick (1924-1991) was the first man after Christopher Morley to be invested with “The Sign of the Four” by the Baker Street Irregulars of America — the premier Sherlock Holmes scholarly society. His 1979 pastiche “Prisoner of the Devil” (the Dreyfus affair case) is considered among the finest Holmes adventures written since Conan Doyle’s death. A former BBC drama director who co-adapted “Upstairs, Downstairs,” Hardwick brought insider knowledge of period atmosphere to his Holmes work. He also authored “The Complete Guide to Sherlock Holmes,” “The Private Life of Dr. Watson,” and the Holmes autobiography “My Life and Crimes.”

**THE NOVEL**

Set in June 1902, directly following events of “The Hound of the Baskervilles.” King Edward VII’s coronation is postponed amid spy scares and social unrest. Watson is engaged, Holmes contemplates retirement — until a new hound mystery emerges from the shadows. Kirkus Reviews called it “the most authentic and convincing post-Conan Doyle Holmes adventure to date: an energetic, atmospheric semi-sequel to The Hound of the Baskervilles.” The book carries formal permission from Dame Jean Conan Doyle, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s daughter, to use the Sherlock Holmes characters.

**COVER ART AND ILLUSTRATIONS**

The binding features decorated brown paper-wrapped boards over a yellow cloth-wrapped spine with cloth head and tail bands. The front cover displays a gilt-stamped hound silhouette within a diamond frame. The dust jacket, illustrated by Mitchell Hooks, shows a dramatic snarling hound with glowing green eyes against a dark, moody background. The back cover features a sepia-toned portrait of Holmes seated with pipe, framed in an octagonal border. Inside, four black and white illustrations by Jim Steranko — the Marvel Comics legend behind Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., Daredevil, and the pioneering graphic novel “Chandler: Red Tide” (1976). Text design by Alex Jay/Studio J.

**WHY IT MATTERS**

– Officially sanctioned by the Conan Doyle estate (Dame Jean Conan Doyle)
– Baker Street Irregulars “Sign of the Four” investiture — highest pastiche honor
– Illustrated by Jim Steranko, one of comics’ most visually innovative artists
– Published by Villard Books / Byron Preiss Visual Publications (Random House)
– ISBN 0-394-55653-4, original price $17.95

**FOR COLLECTORS**

A rare convergence of top-tier Sherlockian pastiche authorship and comic book art legend — Hardwick’s Holmes prose paired with Steranko’s distinctive visual style makes this a standout in the 1980s Holmes pastiche wave. In near-fine condition with matching dust jacket, this first edition is a genuine addition to any serious Holmes library.

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CONDITION: This is a “near fine” or better vintage hardcover in decorated brown paper wrapped boards over yellow cloth wrapped spine, cloth head and tail bands in binding, 4 black and white illustrations by Jim Steranko of Marvel Comics fame, published in 1987 by Villard Books.

First edition.

A nearly flawless volume along with matching dust wrapper. No marks, binding is tight and crisp. A handful of very small speckles sprinkled along text block top edge. Jacket will arrive in a removable archival sleeve so as to maintain the pristine condition for years to come.

Will make for an wonderful gift for the Sherlock and Watson fan in your tribe.

Will ship promptly, carefully packaged.

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