Otto Penzler: Editor and Bookseller Extraordinaire

Otto Penzler

Otto Penzler may be the most famous mystery writer who has never written a mystery. He is, however, a prolific editor and has published over 50 collections of crime fiction.
Penzler is also the founder and owner of The Mysterious Bookshop. Originally opened in mid-town Manhattan in 1979, the store is now located in New York City's Tribeca neighborhood at  58 Warren Street.
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The Mysterious Bookshop

Still active in publishing, Otto Penzler has any number of projects. Among the most recent on my bookshelves are The Big Book of Female Detectives (2018), The Big Book of Rogues and Villains (2017), Best American Mystery Stories of the 19th Century (2014).

Otto Penzler is now selling books from his large collectible inventory. He has been one of the most important collectors in the world. Included is a copy of Dashiell Hammett's Red Harvest, which Penzler claims is the best copy of the first edition in existence. It is expected to be sold for something like $60,000 (opening bid will be $30k). A signed first edition of Raymond Chandler's The Big Sleep is anticipated to sell for about $15,000. There's a first edition of James Cain's The Postman Always Rings Twice that ought be bring in 5 digits as well. Edgar Allan Poe's Tales, also a first edition, is expected to sell for about $12,000. 

Check these auction prices out at Heritage Auctions. 

In my lifetime, I have been a modest collector of books. Never have I even considered what Mr. Penzler has accumulated in his 40 years of bookselling. I tip my hat to this gentleman and wish him good selling.