HAMMETT, DASHIELL. The Maltese Falcon.

INSCRIBED TO SHAW HAMMETT, DASHIELL. The Maltese Falcon. 8vo, publisher's grey cloth stamped in blue and black, spine darkened, light overall soiling to covers and endpapers. Unconscionably lacks the dust jacket. Layman A.3.1.a. New York: Knopf, 1930

inscribed and signed by hammett to his editor joe shaw on front blank three weeks before the official publication date: "To Joseph and Hana Shaw, with a bow -- Dashiell Hammett January 23, 1930."