Murder Casebook Magazine Issue 55 3 April 1990 Colin Pitchfork Ian Simms (1501)

Original vintage Murder Casebook – Issue 55, from Marshall Cavendish’s weekly Investigations into the Ultimate Crime true-crime series.

This issue is titled “Written in Blood” and focuses on three murder cases in which forensic science played a major part in identifying and convicting the offenders: Colin Pitchfork, Ian Simms and Timothy Spencer. Issue 55 is confirmed as the Written in Blood edition of the series.

The issue dates from 3 April 1990, following directly after Issue 54 in this weekly publication run.

The front cover has the classic Murder Casebook styling, with a predominantly black background, cream lettering and yellow detailing. A monochrome portrait is positioned centrally above the large “WRITTEN IN BLOOD” headline, with the cover line:

“Colin Pitchfork, Ian Simms and Timothy Spencer: Three vicious killers trapped by science.”

Magazine Details

Publication: Murder Casebook
Series: Investigations into the Ultimate Crime
Issue: 55
Full Date: 3 April 1990
Publisher: Marshall Cavendish
Format: Weekly stapled magazine / partwork
Main Feature: Written in Blood
Subjects: Colin Pitchfork, Ian Simms and Timothy Spencer
Original UK Cover Price: £1.50
Approximate Length: 32 pages; contemporary listings describe this issue as an original stapled 32-page publication.
SKU: 1501

About This Issue

This is one of the more forensic-science-focused editions of Murder Casebook. Rather than concentrating on a single historical murderer, Issue 55 brings together three separate British cases under the theme of offenders being identified through scientific investigation.

The issue’s subjects are:

• Colin Pitchfork
• Ian Simms
• Timothy Spencer

The edition sits immediately after the John Wayne Gacy Issue 54 and before Issue 56, which covered Bonnie and Clyde, making it useful for anyone building a consecutive Murder Casebook collection.

The magazine would particularly suit collectors of vintage true-crime publications, Marshall Cavendish partworks, forensic-crime material, British criminal-history publications and complete Murder Casebook runs.

Condition

Pre-owned vintage condition with noticeable but generally moderate age and handling wear.

From the supplied image:

• Front cover remains complete and presents well overall
• Noticeable light surface scratching and rubbing across the black cover
• Small scuffs and age-related marks visible in several areas
• Left/spine edge shows rubbing and handling wear
• Small crease lines are visible along the spine side
• Bottom-left corner shows some wear and softening
• Lower edge has light rubbing
• Top edge and corners show minor age wear
• Cover remains reasonably flat
• Main artwork, issue number and text remain clear and fully readable
• No obvious handwriting or ownership marks visible on the photographed front cover
• No major tears are apparent in the supplied image

Only the exterior/front cover is visible in the supplied photograph, so the internal pages and rear cover have not been fully assessed. Please use the supplied image as an important part of the condition description.

A distinctive original 1990 Murder Casebook Issue 55 with strong appeal to collectors of vintage true crime and forensic-crime publications.

SKU: 1501