Books

Edinburgh: William Blackwood and Sons, 1915. First printing. Near fine.. First edition in book form of this "man on the run" spy novel, in which Richard Hannay escapes to Scotland just ahead of accusations he has murdered a secret agent. First published as a serial in Blackwood's Magazine the same year, this thriller landed in the middle of World War I, resonating with its generation's sense of reluctant heroism, mixed with the adventure of a well-told yarn. A foundational work in the modern spy genre. 7.25'' x 4.75''. Original blue cloth lettered in black. One leaf of ads at rear. 253, [1], [2] pages. Some foxing and light browning to first and last few leaves and to text block edges, only light soiling to edge of boards.

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.