Compared to the high prices of Ian Fleming and John Le Carré first editions, many books by Len Deighton are still open to the casual and serious collector alike.
While first editions of the first four, 'unnamed spy' novels are increasingly rare - and priced accordingly - most of Deighton's first edition novels and non-fiction works can be found relatively easy.
On this page you'll find information about what to look for when online or in a bookshop and a handy price guide.
Len Deighton has written or contributed to well over one hundred books.
On this section of the site you will find a full bibliography for every book written by the author, from his first novel - The Ipcress File - to his most recent work, the e-book James Bond: My Long and Eventful Search for His Father and everything in between.
As well as details of UK and US first editions, where available information is given about first paperback editions and special collections
As well as reading and enjoying Len Deighton's fiction and non-fiction works, many readers also choose to collect his works in first edition or paper back.
This page provides the most comprehensive online guide available on all of Deighton's published works. Here you'll find information on first and special editions, details on book formats, pricing guides and lots more.
Collecting Len Deighton's books has never been more accessible and possible, thanks to the Internet and the global availability of many sought after editions.
Start your collection now.
Like many top authors, the books and collected works of Len Deighton offer significant opportunities for serious book collectors.
His output is prodigious: not just the 200 plus books he's written or contributed to, but also the book covers he's designed, the ephemera associated with the marketing and launching of his books, and the associated posters and other material linked to the film versions of his works.
It is relatively easy to build a great collection of Len Deighton's books; once he gained popularity, first editions of his works were published in increasing numbers. But like any popular author - John Le Carré, Ian Fleming or Desmond Bagley, say - collectors are also interested in the rarities, the hard-to-track-down oddities which can be part of any collection alongside the books.
In time, more information will be added to this section about collecting his non-fiction works and the real rarities for Deighton collectors: the ephemera items such as the Hindenburg postcard, pictured right.
Find out below the information you need to build your collection of Deighton books.
Roll the cursor over each of the books below to read useful information on first editions of Deighton's novels and a guide to their value.
UK first edition: 12 November 1962, Hodder & Stoughton - 224pp - 8vo - 4000 copies - price guide: £450-550 (vgc); £250 (good)
UK first edition paperback: 1964, Panther - price guide: £10-15
Proof: Blue, with Hodder & Stoughton wrappers (unlaminated) - price guide: £160-220 (vgc)
US first edition: 29 October 1963, Simon & Schuster - 287pp - price guide: £250 (vgc)
Notes
First editions must have orange boards, with the lettering gold-blocked on the spine, with blank endpapers. The white cover went against publishing convention at the time and can be more susceptible to dirt; really good examples will show very little dirt or discolouring (creaming) of the white dustjacket. The paperback has the same front cover image as the first edition of the novel, which was quite unusual practice at the time.
Special edition - notes
Franklin Library Edition - 1988, Franklin Library - 279pp - Demy 8vo - 500 copies (est.) - price guide: £85.
The book has black covers and spine boards, with raised elements, onto which is affixed a specially commissioned illustration by Terry Widener; green endpapers with a brick design and gold page edging. This was reproduced as part of the Library's Mystery Masterpieces Book Series
UK first edition: 21 October 1963, Jonathan Cape, London - 255pp - 8vo - 15,000 copies - price guide: £350-400 (vgc); £200 (good)
UK first edition paperback: 1965, Penguin, book 2322 - price guide: £10-12
Proof: Green and white Jonathan Cape wrapper (unlaminated) - price guide: £160-220 (vgc)
US first edition: 5 January 1968, G P Putnam's Sons, New York - 256pp - price guide: £175 (vgc)
Notes
Fiirst editions must have orange boards, with the lettering gold-blocked on the spine, with blank endpapers. The white cover went against publishing convention the proof is slightly different, with some of the elements from Ray Hawkey's photograph removed and different publisher's notes on the back; also note that the author photograph is different, one of Deighton watching frogmen training. The paperback can often show signs of browning on the pages, so vgc copies are rare.
The paperback has a cover design by Ray Hawkey, this time he used striking yellow and black chevrons and a pixellated photograph of Michael Caine as Harry Palmer. The back has a photo of Len Deighton and a helicopter; the first page reproduces the image from the front cover of the hardback. Interesting to note Len Deighton's jokey biography on the first page, which in the paperback for Funeral in Berlin changes completely.
UK first edition: 17 September 1964, Jonathan Cape, London - 320pp - 8vo - 14,000 copies - price guide: £350-400 (vgc); £200 (good)
UK first edition paperback: 1966, Penguin, book 2461 - price guide: £10-15 (with Penguin presspack: £250)
Proof: Green and white Jonathan Cape wrapper (unlaminated) - price guide: £160-220 (vgc)
US first edition: 11 January 1966, G P Putnam's Sons, New York - 287pp - price guide: £250 (vgc)
Notes
First editions must have black boards, with the lettering gold-blocked on the spine, with a blue/grey 'office stamp' motif on the cover and the words 'downgraded to unclassified on the front board. The endpapers are black and white and reproduce a close-up of official SS membership lists, the first name of which is Heinrich Himmler. Subsequent editions do not reproduce this. The US first edition appeared on the market before Secret File No. 2. The US edition has red endpapers and white boards with a black spine and silver lettering, on the front of which is a grey reproduction of the Quadriga on the Brandenburg Gate, which features on the dust wrapper.
The paperback has a cover design by Ray Hawkey, this time he used striking red and white chevrons and a pixellated photograph of Michael Caine as Harry Palmer holding a sten gun. The back also has a photo of Len Deighton and a helicopter, but a different take from the shoot; pages two and three reproduce similar images from the front cover of the hardback and condolence cards, in german. Interesting to note Len Deighton's jokey biography on the first page, which differs from his earlier one. Very rare is the original Penguin press pack issued with the paperback, in the style of a secret dossier, which is worth far more than the paperback itself.
US first edition: 11 January 1966, G P Putnam's Sons, New York - 320pp - 8vo - 20,000 copies - price guide: £250 (vgc)
UK first edition: 31 March 1966, Jonathan Cape, London - 312pp - 8vo - 14,000 copies - price guide: £350-400 (vgc); £200 (good)
UK first edition paperback: 1967, Penguin, book 2622 - price guide: £8-12
Proof: Green and white Jonathan Cape wrapper (unlaminated) - price guide: £180-220 (vgc)
Notes
The US edition of the book was published first. It has a two-colour graphic dust wrapper, designed by R. Schneider, with red cover boards and gold blocking of the name, with plain endpapers.
The UK first edition first edition should have blue cover boards, with lettering gold-blocked on the spine and punch tape stamped on the front board. The endpapers are illustrated with reproduced 'automath' printouts, from a Honeywell computer (these were fished out of the bin at Honeywell by the photographer, Ken Dyer, who is wearing the helmet on the front cover). The famous Ray Hawkey dust wrapper in silver and black is, due to the printing approach, very subject to wear and tear, so check the top and bottom for signs of the silver ink chipping; it is also susceptible to dirtying more easily. The dust wrapper corners are clipped front and back.
The paperback has a cover by Ray Hawkey, using striking red and white chevrons and a pixellated photograph of Michael Caine as Harry Palmer holding a sten gun. The back has a photo of Len Deighton from a recent Life magazine shoot, showing him holding a machine gun. Publishers' copies of the books were sent out in UK and US with promotional ephemera with a notepad and items relating to the production of the book. These are extremely rare to find, so expect to pay upwards of £800 for one example.
US first edition: 26 April 1967, G P Putnam's Sons, New York - 256pp - 8vo - 20,000 copies - price guide: £130 with laid-in dossier (vgc); £35 without (vgc)
UK first edition: 11 May 1967, Jonathan Cape, London - 312pp - 8vo - 30,000 copies - price guide: £150 with laid-in dossier (vgc); £40 without (vgc)
UK first edition paperback: 1969 Panther - price guide: £6-8
Proof: Green and white Jonathan Cape wrapper with dust wrapper as the first edition (unlaminated) - price guide: £130-150 (vgc)
Notes
The US edition of the book was published first with a red, black and white graphic dust wrapper by John van Zwienen. The book has red cover boards and gold blocking of the name, with red endpapers.
The UK first edition first edition has a colourful dust wrapper montage photo designed by Ray Hawkey (note: the green background ink is susceptible to fading, particularly on the spine, which will reduce the value of the edition). The book has black cover boards, gold block on the spine and endpapers illustrated with a black and white Art Nouveau design, by Hawkey.
Both UK and US first editions hold their value if complete with the laid-in dossier, which you should check has the complete list of items (it is easy for one of the items to go missing). Without this, they are considerably less sought-after.
UK first edition (private printing): 1967 (no date provided), Vico Patentwertungs und Vermögenswerwaltungs - G.M.B.H. - 150 copies
UK first edition: 22 April 1968, Michael Joseph - 233pp - large Crown 8vo - 9,000 - price guide: £75-95 (vgc to fine)
UK first edition paperback: 22 April 1967, Sphere Books, London - 250,000 copies - price guide £15-20 (fine)
US first edition: March 1987, Mysterious Press US - 244pp - 250 copies (numbered and signed) in green slipcase - price guide: £180-£230 (vgc to fine)
Proof: Light brown in Michael Joseph proof wrappers - price guide: £190-220 (vgc to fine)
Notes
Another source of interesting items for the collector is the availability of film stills used for PR and posters advertising the 1968 Basil Dearden directed film of the book.
UK first edition: 10 September 1970, Jonathan Cape, London - 494pp - Demy 8vo - 50,000 copies - price guide: £50 (fine)
UK first edition paperback: 1972, Pan Books - price guide: £5-7 (vgc to fine)
US first edition: 30 September 1970, Harper & Row, New York - Demy 8vo - 424pp - price guide: £30-35 (vgc to fine)
Proof: Bound in green and white Cape proof wrappers - price guide: £90-140 (vgc). The dustrwapper reproduces Ray Hawkey's cover, and the rear dustrwrapper flap indicates the publication date of 10 September
Notes
Reasonably collectable due to the high print run (based on the success of his other novels, the print run for Deighton's fiction now warranted larger first runs). There are quite a lot of signed copies on the market, due I think to a significant marketing push at the time of launch. There are plenty of reasonable copies out there but relatively few fine or near fine copies. Avoid any with library stamps, which significantly reduce the value of the book.
UK first edition: 1June 1972, Jonathan Cape, London - 381pp - Demy 8vo - 45,000 copies - price guide: £40-50 (fine)
UK first edition paperback: 1974, Pan Books - price guide: £5 (vgc to fine)
US first edition: 19 June 1972, Atheneum, New York - Demy 8vo - 381pp - price guide: £30 (vgc to fine)
Proof: Bound in red and white Cape proof cover, over-size dust wrapper has the same design as the first edition - price guide: £55 (vgc)
Notes
Reasonably collectable due to the higher print runs now common to Len Deighton first editions. This is one of his relatively less well known novels and wasn't filmed, so demand (and hence price) among collectors is likely slightly lower. There are plenty of reasonable copies out there but relatively few fine or near fine copies. First editions are bound in black board covers, silver blocked on the spine with plain endpapers.
UK first edition: 2 May 1974, Jonathan Cape, London - 224pp - Demy 8vo - 27,000 copies - price guide: £50 (fine)
UK first edition paperback: 1976, Panther Books - price guide: £9 (vgc to fine)
US first edition: 25 September 1974, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, New York - Demy 8vo - 224pp - price guide: £65 (vgc to fine)
Proof: Bound in red and white Cape proof covers; dust wrapper has the same design as the first edition - price guide: £27 (vgc)
Notes
Reasonably collectable due to the higher print runs now common to Len Deighton first editions. Dust wrapper of both US and UK editions features a simple Ray Hawkey design of an eye peering through the 'o' of Story (photographed by Peter Williams), bringing to mind his earlier paperback design for Len Deighton's London Dossier. The book itself is made of black boards, with the title in gold on the spine and plain, red endpapers.
UK first edition: 29 May 1975, Jonathan Cape, London - 224pp - Demy 8vo - 83,000 copies - price guide: £65 (fine)
UK first edition paperback: 1977, Panther Books - price guide: £30 (vgc to fine)
US first edition: 6 October 1975, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, New York - Demy 8vo - 282pp - price guide: £35 (vgc to fine)
Proof: Bound in pink Cape proof covers; dust wrapper has the same design as the first edition - price guide: £30 (vgc)
Notes
Reasonably collectable due to the higher print runs now common to Len Deighton first editions. Dust wrapper of both US and UK editions features a simple Ray Hawkey design of an eye peering through the 'o' of Story (photographed by Peter Williams), bringing to mind his earlier paperback design for Len Deighton's London Dossier. The book itself is made of brown boards, with the title in gold on the spine and plain endpapers. The proof dust jacket should say 'Proof only' on the front inside dust jacket flap, indicating a provisional publishing date of 12 June 1973 (the date is a likely mistake, given publication was 1975!) The UK Panther paperback is demanding significant prices in the market at present.
UK first edition: 17 June 1976, Jonathan Cape, London - 240pp - Demy 8vo - 42,500 copies - price guide: £50 (fine) - add another £70 if signed
UK first edition paperback: 1977, Triad/Panther Books - price guide: £6 (vgc to fine)
US first edition: 27 September 1976, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, New York - Demy 8vo - 268pp - price guide: £20 (vgc to fine) - titled Catch a Falling Spy
Proof: Bound in red (often fades to pink) Cape proof covers; dust wrapper has the same design as the first edition - price guide: £40 (vgc)
Notes
Dust wrapper of both US and UK editions features a simple Ray Hawkey design of a revolver, photographed by Adrian Flowers. The book itself consists of black boards, with the title in gold on the spine and illustrated endpapers showing a galaxy. The proof dust jacket should say 'Proof only' on the front inside dust jacket flap. The US edition, with the different title, includes a different cover design with the word spy in communist red letters made of plaster, which are broken. The back cover should include quotes relating to the sales of the previous book, Yesterday's Spy.
UK first edition: 24 August 1978, Jonathan Cape, London - 350pp - Demy 8vo - 110,000 copies - price guide: £00 (fine)
UK first edition paperback: 1980, Triad/Panther Books - price guide: £5 (vgc to fine)
US first edition: 26 February 1979, Alfred Knopf, New York - Demy 8vo - 344pp - price guide: £20 (vgc to fine)
Proof: Bound in red Cape proof covers; dust wrapper has the same design as the first edition - price guide: £50 (vgc)
Notes
Eminently collectable and affordable due to the large print run, fine copies of this book however are relatively rare and demand a good price. Both US and UK editions feature Ray Hawkey's tremendous Hitler stamp design. A book of 1941 stamps featuring this design was published in advance of the book to the trade and press; these are extremely rate and if they come with a copy of the book, you can look at an additional £600 on the cost of purchase. A similar design, this time on a sepia postcard featuring the photo of Hitler taking the salute of German troops on Whitehall (on the back of the UK cover), can also command prices upwards of £100.
The US first edition should feature rough cut page sides.
UK first edition: 9 March 1981, Hutchinson, London - 397pp - Demy 8vo - 50,000 copies - price guide: £55 (fine) - £250 with postcard
UK first edition paperback: 1982, Granada - price guide: £5 (vgc to fine)
US first edition: 30 April 1981, Alfred Knopf, New York - Demy 8vo - 339pp - price guide: £20 (vgc to fine)
Proof: Bound in orange Hutchinson wrappers; dust wrapper has the same design as the first edition - price guide: £20 (vgc)
Notes
This was the first book produced under Deighton's deal with his new UK publisher Hutchinson (and new cover designers - not Ray Hawkey, but Carroll & Dempsey Limited). The book has black cover boards with the author name and title in silver on the spine, along with white endpapers. Be aware of the risk of fading on the red title on the spine of the Hutchinson edition. Rare editions will still include the laid-in Hindenburg postcard, with Len's signature on the back, indicating that it was carried on its fateful journey to Lakehurst.
UK first edition: 20 September 1982, Hutchinson, London - 395pp - Demy 8vo - 40,000 copies - price guide: £00 (fine)
UK first edition paperback: 1983, Granada - price guide: £5 (vgc to fine)
US first edition: 28 October 1982, Alfred Knopf, New York - Demy 8vo - 337pp - price guide: £00 (vgc to fine)
Proof: Bound in orange Hutchinson wrappers; dust wrapper has the same design as the first edition - price guide: £00 (vgc)
Notes
This was the second book produced under Deighton's deal with his new UK publisher Hutchinson. The book has red cover boards with the author name and title in silver on the spine, along with plain, white endpapers. The cover design, featuring a Mustang fighter plane, was by David Pelham, with the illustration by Chris Moore.
UK first edition: 1 August 1991, Century, London - 416pp - Demy 8vo - 45,000 copies - price guide: £20 (fine)
UK first edition paperback: 1992, Arrow Books, London - price guide: £5 (vgc to fine)
US first edition: August 1991, Hutchinson Publishers, New York - Demy 8vo - 410pp - price guide: £20 (vgc to fine)
Proof: UK proof reproduces the Century cover, indicating along the bottom that it is an uncorrected proof - price guide: £10 (vgc)
Notes
This was the first book published under Deighton's new deal with Century books, part of the Hutchinson empire, in the early 'nineties, after the Berlin Wall had fallen. It is eminently collectable at a reasonable price, due to the large print run. Interestingly, the UK proof indicates the book has 320 pages, when in fact it had 416.
Special edition - notes
Harrods Limited Editions - 1991, Century, London - 369pp - 8vo in slip case - limited to 800 copies - price guide: £150 (fine). The book is finished with red boards and spine with gold embossed author signature on the front cover, contained within a red slip cover embossed with Harrods Limited Editions. It has marbled endpapers, gold page edging and a red placeholder; each is signed by the author on the title page
UK first edition: 1992, Century, London - 328pp - Demy 8vo - 40,000 copies - price guide: £25 (fine)
UK first edition paperback: N/A
US first edition paperback: 1993, Harper Collins, New York - 12mo - 410pp - price guide: £15 (vgc to fine)
Proof: N/A
Notes: This was the second book published under Deighton's new deal with Century books. The endpapers should be in yellow with maps of Libya and Cairo, illustrating the key themes in the story.
UK first edition: 1993, Harper Collins, London - 312pp - Demy 8vo - 30,000 copies - price guide: £28 (fine)
UK first edition paperback: N/A
US first edition: 1993, Harper Collins, New York - 312pp - Demy 8vo - price guide: £22 (vgc to fine)
Proof: N/A
Notes
This was the last full-scale fictional work published by Len Deighton. Published by Harper Collins again, the book has simple white endpapers and a different font from those normally used in Len's works.
Special edition - notes
Scorpion limited edition: 1993, Scorpion Press, London - 312pp - Demy 8vo - 130 numbered copies (signed by Deighton); 20 leather-bound deluxe editions for private circulation, signed by Deighton and HRF Keating - price guide: £180-190. The edition has marbled front and rear board covers with a brown leather spine with gold embossing. It contains an appreciation of the author by thriller writer HRF Keating.
Roll the cursor over each of the books below to read useful information on all the editions of Deighton's Samson novels and their value.
UK first edition: 13 October 1983, Hutchinson, London - 304pp - 8vo - 40,000 copies - price guide: £25-35 (vgc)
US first edition: 5 January 1984, Alfred Knopf, New York - price guide: £25-30
Proof: Yellow Hutchinson proof wrappers; dust cover the same as the first edition, but look out for some minor changes in the publisher's blurb
UK first edition paperback: 1984, Panther, Simon & Schuster - 306pp - price guide: £5 (vgc)
Notes
The first edition are printed in black boards, with silver embossing on the spine and red endpapers. The book cover features the illustration by Hargrave Hands based on Ray Hawkey's design concept around corrupted fruit.
The original paperback has the same front cover image as the first edition of the novel.
UK first edition: 22 October 1984, Hutchinson, London - 304pp - Demy 8vo (8 3/4 " by 5 5/8") - 45,000 copies - price guide: £25-35 (vgc)
US first edition: 28 February 1985, Alfred Knopf, New York - price guide: £25-30
Proof: Yellow Hutchinson proof wrappers; dust cover the same as the first edition, but look out for some minor changes in the publisher's blurb and typographical details
UK first edition paperback: 1985, Granada - price guide: £5 (vgc)
Notes
The first edition are printed in red boards with red endpapers, with silver embossing on the spine. The dust wrapper features critics quotes about Berlin Game. The book cover features the illustration by Hargrave Hands based on Ray Hawkey's design concept around corrupted fruit. This image is also repeated on the UK paperback edition.
UK first edition: 10 October 1985, Hutchinson, London - 432pp - Demy 8vo (8 3/4 " by 5 5/8") - 45,000 copies - price guide: £25-35 (vgc)
US first edition: 1985, Alfred Knopf, New York - price guide: £25-30
Proof: Dust wrapper has a special 2-colour Astralux cover, reproducing the Hargrave Hands image from the cover of the book
UK first edition paperback: 1986, Granada - price guide: £5 (vgc)
Notes
The first edition are printed in red boards with red endpapers, with silver embossing on the spine. The dust wrapper features critics quotes about Berlin Game and Mexico Set, reproducing their covers. The book cover features the illustration by Hargrave Hands based on Ray Hawkey's design concept around corrupted fruit. This image is also repeated on the UK paperback edition.
Collected editions notes
Berlin Game, Mexico Set and London Match sold tremendously well in both hardback and paperback. Sales were boosted by the production in 1988 of the Granada TV production of Game, Set & Match. A number of special editions were produced which are interesting and eminently collectable:
Hardback box set - 1985 - Hutchinson Books - London. Exclusive box set of each of the three hardback editions (also reproduced on the card slip-box) plus a hardback copy of Len Deighton - An Annotated Bibliography by Edward Milward-Oliver. Original sale price was £35. Fairly collectable due to its rarity value. Price guide: £60-70
Paperback box set - 1988 - Grafton Books - Berlin Game, Mexico Set and London Match paperbacks featuring the original covers, contained within a card slip-box reproducing three images from the 1988 TV series. Each book also has a corner strapline highlighting that the books are "Now a major TV series". Price guide: £10-15
Collected edition 1- 1986 - Hutchinson Books - London - 8vo - 856pp. Single volume containing all three books, reproduced on the front cover, with the rear of the dust wrapper providing quotes from reviews of the three books. The endpapers reproduce maps of the divided city of Berlin. The book includes a new preface to the series, written in 1986 by the author. Price guide £35-40
Collected edition 2 - 1988 - Hutchinson Books - London - 8vo - 856pp. This is a 1988 reissue of the first collected edition from 1986. The only difference is a cover photograph and spine image of Ian Holm as Bernard Samson from the 1988 TV series (see the photograph above), together with a strap line indicating that the books are "a major Granada Television series." Clearly intended as a TV tie-in, it also contains the Berlin map endpapers. Reasonably rare but has collectable interest due to the link with the TV series. Price guide: £40-45
UK first edition: 1987, Hutchinson, London - 536pp - 8vo - price guide: £35-40 (vgc). The first edition has victorian-style red endpapers printed with a complex leaf patter and blue boards, with silver embossing on the spine
US first edition: 1987, Alfred Knopf, New York - 571pp - 8vo - price guide: £20-25. This edition has white endpapers, beige boards with a red cloth spine, and gold embossing on the spine and front cover
Proof: Yellow Hutchinson proof wrappers; dust cover the same as the first edition, but look out for some minor changes in the publisher's blurb and typographical details
UK first edition paperback: N/A
Notes
The UK first edition has a white cover typical of the designer Ray Hawkey, who introduced a dead robin motif on the front cover along with an Iron Cross in the snow on the spine; the illustrations of both are by Hargrave Hands. On the inside dust wrapper flap, the book is described as "the fourth book of the trilogy".
The US first edition bears no design link with the UK first edition, reproducing as its main cover image a German Wehrmacht soldier, designed by Jon Valk and illustrated by John Rush.
UK first edition: January 1988, Hutchinson, London - 267pp - Demy 8vo (8 3/4 " by 5 5/8") - price guide: £20-25 (vgc). The first edition has white endpapers and red boards, with silver embossing on the spine
US first edition: 1985, Alfred Knopf, New York - price guide: £20-25
Proof: Yellow Hutchinson proof wrappers; dust cover the same as the first edition, but look out for some minor changes in the publisher's blurb and typographical details
UK first edition paperback: (to be added)
Notes
The UK first edition departs from a consistent cover design for the first book in this next trilogy. Again, Hargreave Hands produces an illustration based on a Ray Hawkey idea, of the title superimposed in graffiti on what is intended to stand for the Berlin Wall.
UK first edition: 1989, Hutchinson, London - 316pp - Demy 8vo (8 3/4 " by 5 5/8") - price guide: £15-20 (vgc). The first edition has white endpapers and red boards, with gold embossing on the spine
US first edition: 1985, Alfred Knopf, New York - price guide: £10-15
Proof: Yellow Hutchinson proof wrappers; dust cover the same as the first edition, but look out for some minor changes in the publisher's blurb and typographical details
UK first edition paperback: N/A
Notes
The UK first edition drops the use of illustrated images established across the ennealogy at this point, instead choosing a simple gold title on the cover, with a stamp indicating it is the second novel in a new trilogy. The back cover features review quotes for Spy Hook.
UK first edition: 1989, Hutchinson, London - 316pp - Demy 8vo (8 3/4 " by 5 5/8") - price guide: £15-20 (vgc). The first edition has white endpapers and red boards, with gold embossing on the spine
US first edition: 1989, Alfred Knopf, New York - price guide: £10-15
Proof: Yellow Hutchinson proof wrappers; dust cover the same as the first edition.
UK first edition paperback: N/A
Notes
The UK first edition shifts back to an illustration on the cover - clearly of Fiona Samson - but this time it is not by Ray Hawkey and Hargreave Hands, but attributed to Adrian Bailey, who also took the shots of the author used on the rear dust jacket flap.
Collected edition - notes
In 1989 Hutchinson produced a collected edition of the three first editions available in a slip cover, featuring the illustrations of the covers of each of the three books. Relatively rare to find, though not expensive to acquire.
UK first edition: 1994, Harper Collins (new publisher), London - 338pp - 8vo - price guide: £10-15 (vgc). The first edition has white endpapers onto which are printed illustrated 'family trees' for each story of the series so far, identifying the relationships between the different characters; the book has black boards, with gold embossing on the spine
US first edition: 1994, Harper Collins, New York - 337pp - Demy 8vo - price guide: £10-15. The first edition has dark grey boards with a lighter grey cloth spine, with black embossed title details. Unlike the UK first edition, the endpapers should be plain white, lacking the 'family tree' illustration
Proof: TBA
UK first edition paperback: TBA
Notes
Both first editions are with a new publisher, Deighton's current, Harper Collins. In another departure for this next trilogy, the covers have a new typeface and use stylised photos representing main characters. On this novel it is Werner Volkmann on the front cover, with a pensive Bernard Samson on the back cover. These images were conceptualised by John Munday and designed by Joe Partridge and Bob Warner. Note: the author photograph is taken by Len Deighton's son, 'Bebop' Alexander.
The US first edition has a different cover design based on broken glass, by Michael Ian Kaye. On the inside dust wrapper cover are three photographs illustrating, presumably, the three main characters of Bernard, Gloria and Fiona - but there's no heritage here from previous editions and these photos look like they are just the art director's best guess at what these characters might look like (for instance, compared with the photo used on the UK first edition, Bernard here lacks glasses!).
UK first edition: 1995, Harper Collins, London - 296pp - 8vo - price guide: £10-15 (vgc). The first edition has white endpapers onto which are printed illustrated 'family trees' for each story of the series so far, identifying the relationships between the different characters; the book has black boards, with gold embossing on the spine
US first edition: 1995, Harper Collins, New York - Demy 8vo - price guide: £10-15. The first edition has white endpapers lacking the 'family trees' for each story of the series so far, used on the UK first edition. The book has black boards, with silver embossing on the spine
Proof: TBA
UK first edition paperback: TBA
Notes
On this novel it is Dicky Cruyer illustrated on the front cover, with a pensive Bernard Samson on the back cover. Note, on the UK first edition, the page numbering on the last page is missing!
The US first edition continues with a black and white and red cover, with the design by Michael Ian Kaye. However, this time no character photographs are illustrated on the inside dustwrapper flap.
Special edition - notes
Leather bound edition - Published 1995, Scorpion Press - 295pp - 8vo - price guide: £90-100; 150-200 (lettered edition) (vgc). This is a limited edition (99 numbered copies signed by Deighton; 15 lettered copies for private distribution, signed by Deighton and Allbeury) with a short foreword by author Ted Allbeury, in celebration of whom this edition was produced. Both are finely bound with a marbled front and back cover and a leather spine embossed with gold lettering
UK first edition: 1996, Harper Collins, London - 279pp - 8vo - price guide: £10-15 (vgc). The first edition has white endpapers onto which are printed illustrated 'family trees' for each story of the series so far, identifying the relationships between the different characters; the book has red boards, with gold embossing on the spine
US first edition: 1996, Harper Collins, New York - 279pp - Demy 8vo - price guide: £10-15. The first edition has a dust wrapper designed in black and white, featuring a white plastic water pistol and slightly askew title and author name, which looks like a printing error but is clearly part of the design by Michael Ian Kaye. Interestingly, unlike the other two US first editions, this edition does reproduce the 'family tree' illustrations from the UK first editions
Proof: TBA
UK first edition paperback: TBA
Notes
On this noel it is Bernard Samson and former lover Gloria Kent illustrated on the front cover, with a pensive Bernard Samson on the back cover.
Len Deighton has written and published over sixty books on his own or with a writing partner, and contributed to many more.
This bibliography lists in chronological order every first edition book by Len Deighton, including some special and rare editions and information about collected editions, including the most recent paperback reissues by Harper Collins in 2009.
Also included are his first published works which, while not strictly books, are still regarded as part of the Deighton canon by collectors.
Click below to uncover a popup and comprehensive list of everything he's written, from 1954 up to the present day.
The early years and the 'sixties
Biography
In his own words
According to others
Journalism
Did you know?
Interviews
Understanding Deighton's writing
Deighton at 90
Book covers
Illustrations
Collaboration
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