The Mystery of Mar Saba by James H. Hunter (1947 Hardcover, w/o Dust Jacket) 

•           Author:                           James Hogg Hunter (1890-1982) 

•           Illustrator:                      B. Templeton 

•           Publisher:            Evangelical Publishers    Toronto, Canada    UK     1947

The story revolves around finding a long-lost document in the Mar Saba Monastery that is potentially embarrassing to Christianity. The document is later exposed as the work of a hoaxer. The hero is a British policeman in the Palestine mandate and his born-again American assistant. The villain of the story is a close-shaven German archaeologist who leads a band of Arab "Hooded Ones," including the cowardly "Abid of the Scar," who stabs a girl in the back!  ii + 414 + 8 B&W plates bound in

James Hogg Hunter (1890-1982) was a Scottish-born Canadian Christian journalist, novelist and biographer.  He was an author of early evangelical Christian adventure novels which sold thousands of copies in Canada and the USA. Hunter was the editor of the Evangelical Christian magazine, published in Toronto Canada, until his retirement in 1969. 

Hardcover has red cloth boards with gold lettering on front and spine, but no dust jacket.  Care in handling evidenced by square corners and minor shelf wear.  There is a tear at head of spine in cover and ink mark scrawl by a child on front cover.  Inscribed as a 1954 gift on front facing end-page, adds no value.  All illustration plates are bound in.  Interior is otherwise tight, clean and text unmarked. 

• Size:  8vo – over 7¾ - 9¾” tall,       432pp. 
• Condition:  Good Hardcover, no Dust Jacket  –  Inscribed as 1954 gift, adds no value.  Always Privately Owned.  All illustrations bound in. 

Copyright 1940.  This copy from the 6th Canadian printing in January 1947 (9th printing if you count the 3 USA printings before January 1947).  Printed in Canada.  No ISBN, LCCN, nor MSR.     

Notes on Condition/Edition ratings:

Fine – means like new, but any book produced over 10 years ago isn't “brand new” or even “new.”  Using the same term as coin collectors, “can’t guarantee it is uncirculated, but it looks very much like it could be.”  Booksellers need similar grading to describe this...

Like New – A new book, no marks no damage (except maybe remainder marks or shelf-wear) except not obtained directly from the publisher or in packaging from the publisher.  Same sort of thing about grading as Fine above except generally used for newer publication dates for titles still in print. 

Good – How someone else might take care of a book. Also referred to as “standard.” This is the most likely condition for books of this age & title, shows the book has been read or previously owned.  

 Acceptable – How a young child, student or a librarian might take care of a book. (Either trying to make sure someone doesn't steal it by plastering ownership everywhere, filled it with copious notes or a book that has been damaged.)

Poor – Combination of “acceptable” factors above. Most likely with water damage as well. Might have missing pages (you should ask).  Usually requires repair to be usable. 

Near – Means “almost” in an optimistic sense. e.g., “Near Fine” means very good, but on the high end.

1st Thus – Unique somehow, maybe 1st paperback, new illustrator, misprint or even the 1st edition. A collector might desire this copy for their collection.

Thanks for looking!