POST, Melville Davisson (1871-1930). The Strange Schemes of Randolph Mason. New York: Putnam's Sons, 1896. 8o. Original cloth (leaned, light darkening, rubbing to edges). Provenance: Joseph T. Shaw, editor of Black Mask magazine (ownership inscription). FIRST EDITION. "In 1896 Melville Davisson Post made the first of his two momentous contributions to the detective-crime short story. The publication of The Strange Schemes of Randolph Mason introduced the first "criminal" lawyer in detective fiction... The character of Randolph Mason was an important and historic innovation" (Queen's Quorum 20). -- Uncle Abner. Master of Mystery. New York: Appleton, 1918. 8o. Original cloth, light darkening to spine and rubbing to edges, ownership inscription on title). FIRST EDITION. "In 1918 Melville Davisson Post made his cluminating contribution to the genre--the book-appearance of the 'protector of the innocent and righter of wrongs,' the 'voice and arm of the Laord,' stalwart, rugged Uncle Abner, Virginia squire of the Jeffersonian eara" (Queen's Quorum 60). A Haycraft-Queen Cornerstone. (2)