Books

London: William Blackwood and Sons, 1915. First edition. Cloth. Very Good. 7.5" by 5". None. 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…

The Thirty-Nine Steps is an adventure novel by the Scottish author John Buchan. It first appeared as a serial in Blackwood's Magazine in August and September 1915 before being published in book form in October that year by William Blackwood and Sons, Edinburgh. It is the first of five novels featuring Richard Hannay, an all-action hero with a stiff upper lip and a knack for getting out of sticky situations.

A first edition can be identified by the publisher’s name and address, as they were given on the title page of the first edition. Subsequent impressions were often done by different publishers or included updated addresses. The first edition published by William Blackwood and Sons in 1915 would also not have any mentions of later print runs or editions.