How to identify a first printing
- 1945-1982: an imprint of Arkham House for weird-detective and Solar Pons fiction; identify by the Mycroft & Moran imprint together with the deerstalker-hat colophon designed by Ronald Clyne.
- 1945-late 1970s: like parent Arkham House, used the rear-colophon / no-printing-statement convention - a first printing is indicated by the colophon and the absence of any later-printing notice rather than by a 'First Edition' line.
- Early 1980s: under James Turner, copyright pages began stating 'First Edition' and noting later printings (paralleling Arkham House); the deerstalker colophon persisted as the imprint mark.
- Imprint retired in 1982; verify the Sauk City, Arkham-era address and binding to distinguish genuine vintage firsts from later third-party revivals of the name.
Notable points & cautions
- Created in 1945 by August Derleth as Arkham House's mystery / weird-detective imprint; the name combines Mycroft Holmes and Col. Sebastian Moran.
- Home of Derleth's Solar Pons Sherlock Holmes pastiches; the debut title was 'In Re: Sherlock Holmes - The Adventures of Solar Pons' (1945).
- Shares Arkham House's identification conventions; the deerstalker colophon is the unique imprint tell.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Mycroft & Moran book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. 1945-1982: an imprint of Arkham House for weird-detective and Solar Pons fiction; identify by the Mycroft & Moran imprint together with the deerstalker-hat colophon designed by Ronald Clyne. 1945-late 1970s: like parent Arkham House, used the rear-colophon / no-printing-statement convention - a first printing is indicated by the colophon and the absence of any later-printing notice rather than by a 'First Edition' line.
Does Mycroft & Moran use a number line?
1945-late 1970s: like parent Arkham House, used the rear-colophon / no-printing-statement convention - a first printing is indicated by the colophon and the absence of any later-printing notice rather than by a 'First Edition' line.
Is a book-club edition a Mycroft & Moran first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Created in 1945 by August Derleth as Arkham House's mystery / weird-detective imprint; the name combines Mycroft Holmes and Col. Sebastian Moran.
What era does this cover?
This covers Mycroft & Moran (1945-1982). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.