The Spy WhoCame in from the Cold

Published by Victor Gollancz, London; 1963. 8vo. First edition, first impression. **Signed by author on laid in card.** Condition: Very Good+/Near Fine

This is a very attractive and collectible example of this hard to come by first edition of John le Carré's third novel. It comes in a particularly rare variant trial binding that is brown rather than blue, with just a little minor shelf wear to the edges and spine. Inside, the pages are clean and bright and free from any marks or damage save a little toning and age spotting. It is signed by the author on a laid in card on the title page. In all, a very tidy and clean example.

The book is housed in the original, first edition, dust jacket, with the original price of 18/- net to the front flap and otherwise blank flaps and rear panel. The jacket is in lovely condition, clean and bright with just a touch of shelf wear to the edges, slight fading to the spine and perhaps a little darkening to the rear panel. In all, this is a very collectible, smart example of this rare first edition, with signed copies only becoming rarer and more valuable these days.

This third novel of le Carré's was his breakthrough novel, which quickly became an international best seller. Following its publication, le Carré left MI6 to pursue his writing career. This novel became one of the most important in it's genre, changing the face of spy fiction forever. Le Carré used his firsthand knowledge of the secret services to produce a tense and twisting story that was unlike any other at the time. It was translated to the big screen in 1965, directed by Martin Witt and starring Richard Burton. It won a number of awards, including BAFTA Awards for Best Film, Actor, Cinematography and Art Direction. It remains one of the high points of this incredibly popular and bestselling author.