The Secret of the Forgotten City

"Gold! There are rumors that long ago a treasure was hidden in a city now buried under the Nevada desert." — The Secret of the Forgotten City (1975)

Basic Book Details

• Full Title: The Secret of the Forgotten City (Nancy Drew Mystery Stories #52)
• Publication Year: 1975
• Copyright Year: 1975
• ISBN: 0448095521
• Total Page Count: 192 pages
• Endpaper Design: White Endpapers
• Cover Artist: Rudy Nappi
• Original Language: English
• Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap

Authorship Information

• Credited Author: Carolyn Keene
• Actual Ghostwriter: Harriet Stratemeyer Adams
• Notable Information: This volume was issued with only one text consisting of 20 chapters. It was written during the period when earlier volumes were being revised, so no "original 25-chapter" version exists for this title.

Story Synopsis

Gold! Rumors of a long-lost treasure hidden in a city buried beneath the Nevada desert draw Nancy Drew and her friends to a high-stakes archaeological dig. Sponsored by two colleges, the expedition promised a scientific adventure, but before the "dig" even begins, Nancy receives an ancient stone tablet covered in mysterious petroglyphs. This vital clue immediately places Nancy in the crosshairs of a ruthless thief who is determined to claim the desert's secrets for himself.

Battling 102-degree temperatures, Nancy, Bess, George, Ned, Burt, and Dave pursue leads both above and below the sun-scorched earth. Their investigation is aided by a geology student and a local woman, both of whom seem to be caught in a strange plot against their will. Nancy must piece together the location of the "Forgotten City" before her rivals do.

This 1975 edition is a classic Yellow Spine book with the picture printed directly on the boards. As a book from the mid-70s, it typically features the white endpapers found in specific printings of this era. Reference: series-books.com.

Collector's Q&A

Is this the "original" text for this volume?
Yes. Unlike volumes #1–34, which were revised from 25 to 20 chapters, volumes #35–56 were originally written in the 20-chapter format. There is no earlier, longer version of this story.

How can I identify a 1975 printing versus a later one?
A 1975 printing will feature the yellow spine format with the artwork printed on the boards and the copyright date of 1975. Books from this specific window also frequently utilize the white endpaper design.

Who is GoFigment?
GoFigment is a small business owned and operated by collectors. My commitment to you is simple: I only offer items I would proudly display in my own collection. Every piece is personally sourced, authenticated, and handled with the reverence it deserves.

Physical Condition & Seller Notes

“Please Note: I have multiple copies of each Nancy Drew volume, so the book you receive may not be the exact book pictured. However, I guarantee the quality of the book will be as good as or better than the one shown. The volume number, edition, cover art, and end pages will match exactly what is pictured. I offer a no-questions-asked return policy for your peace of mind.”