Love Murders of Harry F. Powers—Beware Such Bluebeards

New York: Sheftel Press, 1931. First Edition. INSCRIBED by the author on the dedication page: "To my excellent friend Charles A. Toompas / with compliments of author / E.A. Bartlett." Toompas has added his own signature just below, with the date (July 23, 1935). With black-and-white photographic illustrations.

An early work of true crime, describing the life, crimes, and psychology of Dutch-American serial killer Harry F. Powers. Powers was the subject of much contemporary media fascination, and was widely known as the "Bluebeard of Quiet Dell" due to his tactic of luring his victims using "lonely hearts" advertisements. His crimes served as the basis for Davis Grubb's 1953 novel "Night of the Hunter," adapted for film by Charles Laughton in 1955.

Very Good plus, lacking the dust jacket. Front hinge shaky, slight lean, spine ends and corners lightly rubbed, with an additional owner name in manuscript ink (possibly a variation on Toompas' name) to the front endpaper. Rare.

[Book #171519]