Agatha Christie has a number of 'seasonal' titles that always feel appropriate to reread at certain times of the year. As examples, 'The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding' and 'Hercule Poirot's Christmas' are suitable for Christmas, while 'A Murder is Announced' (October 29th) and 'Hallowe'en Party' are suitable for late October.
The latter, Agatha Christie’s Hallowe’en Party, first appeared in1969. Surprisingly, it was not launched in time for Hallowe'en, but was released in November - both in the UK and the States - as a 'Christie for Christmas'. Perhaps a very odd approach to marketing that I have no doubt would not occur today.
First Hardback Editions:
The first global edition was the UK printing by Collins, under their Crime Club imprint. Published in early November 1969, the first edition jacket is priced both 25 shillings and £1.25 on the front flap. The jacket is adorned with a rather yellow gourd or pumpkin, the artist is uncredited (image at the top of the page).
In the US, Dodd, Mead & Co. published the book in late November 1969, priced $5.95 on the top of the front flap. It is important to note that many of the hardbacks of this book for sale online are later 'Book Club' editions. Key differences are that the true first edition has the priced jacket and also a more expensive cloth design, with orange boards and a black spine that wraps onto the boards - mirroring the jacket design, though rotated 90 degress. The lettering on the spine is orange for the book title and silver for Christie's name. See the images below.
The far less valuable Book Club edition's covers are all black with tan lettering only on the spine. The jacket is the same but states Book Club Edition at the foot of the front flap (which may be clipped off so unseen).
First Paperback Editions.
The first global paperback is the Fontana 'Continental Edition', series number 2370, published between June and October 1970 in Great Britain but sold in Europe despite being priced on the rear for the broader Commonwealth. Proudly stating 'First time in paperback!', this cover was reused for Europe and the overseas markets in a reprint dated May 1971. Confusingly, that reprint states that it was first printed in 1971 which is not accurate.
The paperback was first printed for the UK market with the iconic Tom Adams toffee-apple skull (below). Published in 1972 as series number 3005, this paperback also proudly states 'First time in paperback!'. As is often said, don't always believe what you read!
The original painting for 'Hallowe'en Party' (below) was occasionally thought to include a representation of one of Tom Adams' daughters in the mirror. However, recent research in his archives shows that this is not the case and that the image was inspired by an image in a magazine (below right).
The first US paperback was published in December 1970 by Pocket Books, series number 75636.
The Dedicatee:
I find the dedication in this book to be quite meaningful as it provides a bit of insight into Christie's own reading tastes and affections. She dedicated the novel "To P. G. Wodehouse — whose books and stories have brightened my life for many years. Also, to show my pleasure in his having been kind enough to tell me he enjoyed my books."
Other Printings of Note:
The Foyles Book Club edition (UK) features a very different jacket design (below). While it appears to have used the same printed sheets as the first edition, the title page was modified. It states printed in 1969, but likely was distributed to their book club members in 1970.
The US also issued a cheaper book club edition. But as mentioned earlier, the US Dodd, Mead & Co. book club edition is different than the true first US printing despite no change to the jacket design.
A more unique interpretation of the novel appeared in 2007 when a graphic novel version was published, originally in France, and then in the US the following year. As the images below show, there was quite a difference in the cover design though the actual interior content is the same.
The covers of the graphic novels - French version (2007) and US version (2008)
Below is a sampling of other covers seen over the years. I particularly like the cover of the trade paperback edition published by Penguin in 1991 with the lone figure in the woods.
Magazine Publications:
The novel was first serialised in the weekly magazine Woman's Own (UK) in seven abridged instalments from 15 November to 27 December 1969. Thus the hardback book is the true first whereas in earlier years it was common for magazines to be published in advance of the book. In the US, the novel appeared in the December 1969 issue of Cosmopolitan magazine.
Values:
The first edition (UK, Collins) is fairly valued at £80 ($110 US) when in near fine condition. The Foyle’s Book Club Edition is fairly valued at £50 ($70 US) in near fine condition. The US Dodd Mead & Co true first is now getting much harder to find. It's value is £60 ($80 US) in near fine condition, and rising. The Dodd Mead book club edition is a used book and should be priced solely as such.
Most paperbacks and magazines can all be found for typical used book and magazine pricing, with the exception of the Fontana 'Continental Edition' (black cover). The correct first printing of this in near fine condition (not worn, creased or read) is fairly valued at £20 ($30 US), and is hard to find in this condition.
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