John Buchan — The Thirty-Nine Steps

Edinburgh, William Blackwood and Sons, 1915. First edition. Cloth. A first edition copy of John Buchan's celebrated espionage novel. The first edition. A thriller, which follows the 'man on the run' Richard Hannay just before the outbreak of the First World War. Originally serialised in Blackwood's Magazine, 'The Thirty Nine Steps' is the first of five novels featuring Buchan's all-action hero Richard Hannay. A fantastic novel, which has been subject to many adaptations for screen and stage. This is one of the earliest examples of 'man on the run' thriller archetypes subsequently used for films as a plot device. Richard Hannay is an ordinary man who puts his country's interests before his own safety.In the publisher's original cloth, with a 'Sailors' Society' library stamp to the front free endpaper. In the publisher's original cloth. Externally, a slight lean, fading to the spine and extremities, light edge wear with closed tears to the head and tails of the joints, and slight marks to the boards. Hinges tender, with 'Sailors' Society' library stamp to the front free endpaper. Internally, first few pages weak, with occasional strain throughout. Pages age toned and generally clean. Good . Ill.: None. Good .