An Agatha Christie Milestone Date: Oct 15th.

October 15th marks a significant milestone in Agatha Christie’s publishing legacy - not once, but twice - though it is one that often goes unnoted. On this day, 105 years ago her first novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, was published by John Lane in New York. Not only did this book launch her literary career but it also introduced readers to Hercule Poirot. However, the fact that her last Poirot novel - Curtain - was also published by Dodd Mead & Co, on October 15 in New York exactly 55 years later is often forgotten. Thus, this significant date is worth celebrating for both of these publishing events.

I have no doubt that Dodd Mead & Co. planned the publication date of Curtain with intent. This allows us to celebrate October 15, 2025 as both the 105 year anniversary of Christie’s debut as well as it being 50 years since the curtain fell on Hercule Poirot’s illustrious career.

1920 Publication Day: October 15.

When Agatha Christie’s first novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, was released in the States it introduced the world to Hercule Poirot, her retired Belgian police officer with a penchant for logic from his little grey cells. Who knew then that Poirot would become one of literature’s most iconic detectives, charming readers with his distinctive mannerisms and sharp intellect. Below left is the actual first printing in its original cream cloth. The dust jacket image (below right) is from the first Dodd Mead printing in 1926 (discussed later) though the artwork is the same.

In England, the novel was not published until January 26th, 1921. In neither country was it serialised prior to publication. Of note, the name 'Styles' was the maiden name of Agatha Christie's great-grandmother and thus likely the inspiration for the house's name.

1975 Publication Day: October 15.

Exactly 55 years after Poirot’s first appearance and now 50 years ago, Poirot’s final case was published in the United States. Titled Curtain in the US, it was published by Dodd, Mead & Co., the firm who had published all of Christie's American novels other than her first. Clearly they were aware of the significance of the date despite a different publisher issuing Styles.

The British publication date was a few weeks earlier, on September 22nd, 1975, where the a subtitle was added - Poirot's Last Case. Sadly, there was no symetry in the British publication dates between Styles and Curtain! In this final Poirot novel, he is reunited with his longtime friend Captain Hastings at Styles, the very scene of his first investigation, which also brings this story full circle.

While then publication of Curtain was in 1975, Christie had written the novel many years earlier - likely in the early 1940s. While the initial intent was to publish the final Poirot and Marple books after she died, Curtain was published almost four months prior to her passing allowing her to see its publication. It was the last book published while Christie was alive.

These twin anniversaries—105 years since Christie’s first book and 50 years since the last Christie-penned Poirot novel—are more than just dates. They symbolize the longevity and impact of Christie’s work in the world.

Collecting.

For collectors, the original first edition of Styles is both exceptionally scarce and costly. The dust jacket was painted by Alfred James Dewey, and was one of only two titles where the same jacket was used in both countries (The Big Four was the other). No jacketed copy of either the British or American printings has been seen for sale for decades and if one did surface it would be extremely costly to acquire. Thus, many collectors have to settle for later printings or facsimile jackets. Unjacketed copies do periodically surface though cloth deteriotion, weak hinges and paper aging are all common. See my Price Guide (link) for estimated values of all books based on a 'Very Good' condition.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, first editions in jackets of Curtain are widely available and affordable at typical used book prices, both British and American firsts. For the British first edition, the dust jacket should state 'Crime Club Choice' in the handcuff on the cover. Book club editions did not have these words present and these jackets may get married to a first printing. Also, check the copyright page to ensure it doesn't state that is was published by Book Club Associates. Even though this was dated 1975, it is not the first edition.

In America, the jacket art was created by Neil Fujita. While the cover was very simple, Fujita's American artwork is highly respected. He created the jacket art for Puzo's The Godfather and Capote's In Cold Blood. He also created the cover art for numerous vinyl albums including Dave Brubeck's Time Out and Miles Davis's Round About Midnight.

Other Printings of Note.

By 1926, Dodd, Mead & Co. had acquired the copyright and thus the reprint rights for Christie’s first book. When they first published The Murder of Roger Ackroyd in July 1926 they also printed The Mysterious Affair at Styles. While the third U.S. printing of this title, it was the first Dodd, Mead & Co. printing and is assumed to have been published in either July or August. This book, particularly in jacket (image at top of article), is highly sought by collectors because it utilises the unaltered first edition artwork on the front panel – the same art that covered the John Lane Company (US) and The Bodley Head (UK) first editions. In addition, there are many Christie collectors in the U.S. and globally who desire a complete collection of first Dodd, Mead & Co. printings of Christie titles, making this 1926 imprint an essential addition. Since I last wrote about this book in 2021, values have certainly increased. I would expect the book itself to be worth $400 and a 'very-good' jacketed copy $3,000 - $4,000 today.

In late 1975, Dodd, Mead & Co. also published an omnibus edition that contained both Curtain and The Mysterious Affair at Styles. The book appears to have been published shortly after Curtain to enable readers to easily revisit the first novel which has prequel elements to it. I have only been able to locate book club editions of this book, which are widely available at used book prices. Dodd Mead did not run any advertisements for this book in newspapers, implying there was no trade edition. If anyone is aware of a trade edition of this omnibus, please let me know.

After the book had been published, the paperback rights in the USA went to auction and a then staggering amount of $925,000 was paid by Pocket Books to secure them. They published their paperback in 1976 and subtitled it Hercule Poirot's Last and Greatest Case.

In 2016, Agatha Christie Limited organized the issuance by HarperCollins of the Commemorative Box Set that included two novels - The Mysterious Affair at Styles and Curtain: Poirot's Last Case - plus many other 'extras' that make this a 'must have' for any Christie collector. At time of release, it marked exactly 100 years since Agatha Christie wrote her first novel. The box set also provided two stunning new cover paintings by Tom Adams, Christie's celebrated cover artist from the 1960s onward.

Included as an addendum in The Mysterious Affair At Styles is the previously unpublished version of Chapter 12, titled "The Last Link", which offers readers a courtroom ending to the novel. The book also has an introduction from John Curran. In Curtain: Poirot's Last Case, there is an introduction by Tom Adams and a short article written by Christie in 1941 titled "Drugs and Detective Stories" where she provides some insights into her passion for poisons. This box set is now very scarce and likely worth £100 - £150 if you can find one.

Corrections & Input.

I always welcome corrections, updates or edits. If you think anything should be changed in this article please email me at: collectchristie@gmail.com .

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