The Thirty-Nine Steps.

£475 · Offered by Shapero Rare Books

A first edition of one of the most famous spy stories of the twentieth century, brought to the screen, stage and radio on numerous occasions. Buchan purportedly wrote the book to cash in on the concurrent pulp fiction phenomenon, and following the success of the book wrote two further Richard Hannay novels. As the book was a war-time publication the production values were low, utilising cheap paper notoriously prone to browning. This copy is considerably better than some we have seen. First Edition, first impression; 8vo (190 x 130 mm); 2pp. advertisements at rear, toning to text-block as per but lighter than normal and contained to edges, a few, mostly peripheral spots or marks, tape residue mark to gutter of pp 224/225, not affecting text, otherwise internally good; publisher's blue cloth, rebacked preserving original back panel (spine), soiling and wear to boards, otherwise a good example.

• Binding: Hardcover

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