A very RARE issue of "The Strand Magazine An Illustrated Monthly Vol. XVIII July to December 1899". Original publisher's binding of pictorial blue cloth, upper boards and backstrips blocked and lettered in gilt and black. First appearance of Doyle's boxing tale, present here in the original three instalments with a total of sixteen illustrations (2 full-page) by Paget. The story was never published individually in book form in the UK, but was included in The Green Flag (1900), and published individually in the US and Canada in 1907. SCARCE. Other contributors include E Nesbit, John Oxenham, W. W. Jacobs, and Fred M. White among others. With an illustrated interview to Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema, and other fascinating articles.Embellished with numerous plates, photographs, and in text illustrations in black and white. Included a fascinating article on the construction of the Statue of Liberty. Book in very good condition. Inside complete and clean. Externally light wear around edges and corners,some shelfwear. Rarity in original binding.