When a first does appear for sale, more often than not it has issues – generally poor condition or ex-library. The impact for collectors is that while many later impressions appear for sale, the true 'first edition, first impression' is exceptionally rare. Thus the murderer must be a passenger or conductor on the Istanbul-Calais coach. Alternatively perhaps one print run went solely to Crime Club members, or perhaps there just were supply shortages, but the specifics reasons are not clear (though readers in the know are welcome to provide insights). Bouc makes this statement when he realizes Samuel Ratchetts murderer could not have entered or departed the train nor come from a coach behind the Istanbul-Calais coach. Just after midnight, a snowdrift stops the Orient Express in its tracks. One could speculate that one print run was distributed directly to libraries (as many firsts do appear to be ex-library). Murder on the Orient Express is undoubtedly one of Agatha Christies greatest mystery novels. It is unclear why Collins had four print runs within 60 days. The Fourth Impression occurred in February 1934. What is known is that there were two additional printings in January 1934 – the Second and Third Impressions. However, for unknown reasons the initial print run was particularly small and failed to satisfy the immediate demand. While Christie filed the copyright for this book in 1933, Collins first published it in January 1934.
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