John Buchan — The Thirty-Nine Steps

London, William Blackwood and Sons, 1915. First edition. Cloth. A first edition copy of John Buchan's celebrated espionage novel. 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. A smart copy of this fragile work, which was issued in wartime. In the publisher's original full cloth binding. Externally, very smart. Light rubbing to the joints and extremities. Prior owner's inscription to the recto of front endpaper dated 1915. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are generally bright with just the odd spots to pages. Very Good . Ill.: None. Very Good .