RALPH STOKES – BRITISH PULP FICTION AT
ASH RARE BOOKS
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London : Ralph Stokes for the Gaywood Press, [ca.1952]. First edition. “I was a construction gang foreman, not a private eye or a cop. I’ll admit that my one taste of hoodlums some weeks ago had whetted my appetite for the detecting racket” – Ace Capelli was a house name used variously by Betty Williams (Dail Ambler), Geoffrey Pardoe, Stephen Frances (Hank Janson) and Norman Lazenby. Although over thirty Capelli titles are known, only fourteen or so are represented in major collections.
Crown 8vo (19cm). [iv],9-132pp. Original pictorial stapled wrappers in a sprightly design by Leonard Potts (1902-1978); a little chipped at extremities; covers a little marked; some creasing; staples rusted; text lightly tanned, but a reasonable copy of a scarce and fragile item. No copy located in any major library worldwide.

£50

To purchase, call us or e-mail us at books@ashrare.com quoting stock number 44503 – or simply click on the button

London : Ralph Stokes for Gaywood Press, [ca.1953]. First edition. “Both wore black overcoats, and black fedoras with snap brims. They looked like two black crows. On the table were two battered briefcases. Rio’s case held the barrel and the magazine, while Frank’s held the butt end of a Thompson sub-machine-gun” – campaigning newspaperman brutally shot down. Ace Capelli was a house name used variously by Geoffrey Pardoe, Stephen Frances (Hank Janson) and Norman Lazenby. Although over thirty Capelli titles are known, only fourteen or so are represented in major collections.
Crown 8vo (19cm). [iv],9-132pp. Original pictorial stapled wrappers; some minor wear and creasing; parts of rear wrapper a little nicked and soiled; staples rusted; some spotting of prelims and edges, but a good and serviceable copy. No copy located in any major library worldwide.

£50

To purchase, call us or e-mail us at books@ashrare.com quoting stock number 44703 – or simply click on the button

London : Ralph Stokes for the Gaywood Press, [ca.1952]. First edition. “There were seven names on the list from the commissioner, and one name on that list would have paid a million dollars to get hold of it. That name handled the new drug racket that was sweeping the town and threatening the whole of the States” – Ace Capelli was a house name used variously by Geoffrey Pardoe, Stephen Frances (Hank Janson) and Norman Lazenby. Although over thirty Capelli titles are known, only fourteen or so are represented in major collections.
Crown 8vo (19cm). [iv],9-(116)pp. Original pictorial stapled wrappers – blonde in need of a prayer; some light wear and creasing; spine and part of rear wrapper lightly discoloured; small puncture, without loss, to cover and first few leaves; staples rusted; text lightly tanned, but a good and serviceable copy of an uncommon title. No copy located in any major library worldwide.

£50

To purchase, call us or e-mail us at books@ashrare.com quoting stock number 44702 – or simply click on the button