New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1937. Advance copy (uncorrected proof) of the first U. S. edition. Some tanning to text paper, spine leaned, small dampstain to upper front cover at right edge and another at upper spine / upper left front edge, light wear at edges with creasing at corners, a good to very good copy. An uncommon advance copy rarely found signed. (18924). Octavo, pp. [1-12] [1-2] 3-280 [281-284], printed wrappers. Signed inscription by Ambler on the half title page to Otto Penzler: "To Otto, enviously, / I've never even seen / this book at this stage -- / Eric Ambler / 21 IX 81." Signed and dated a second time on the title page. This is an advance reading/review copy. Espionage thriller involving military secrets, Soviet agents, German agents and Rumanian oil. Filmed in 1943, directed by Raoul Walsh with George Raft, Sidney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre and Turhan Bey from a script by W.R. Burnett.

Synopsis

Eric Ambler is often said to have invented the modern suspense novel. Beginning in 1937, he wrote a series of novels that were touted for their realism, in which he introduced ordinary protagonists who are thrust into political intrigue they are ill prepared to deal with. In the process he paved the way for such writers as John Le Carre, Len Deighton, and Robert Ludlum. He was awarded four Gold Daggers and a Diamond Dagger from The Crime Writers Association, named a Grand Master by the Mystery Writers Association, and was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth. In addition to his novels, Ambler wrote a number of screenplays, including Rebecca , which he collaborated on with his wife, Joan Harrison. Eric Ambler died in 1998.

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Details

Seller: John W. Knott, Jr., Bookseller, ABAA/ILAB (US)
Seller's Inventory #: 18924
Title: BACKGROUND TO DANGER. [SPECIAL ADVANCE COPY]
Author: Ambler, Eric
Book Condition: Used - Some tanning to text paper, spine leaned, small dampstain to upper front cover at right edge and another at upper spine / upper
Quantity Available: 1
Edition: Advance copy (uncorrected proof) of the first U. S. edition
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
Place of Publication: New York
Date Published: 1937
Keywords: Mystery . Signed . Proof

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John W. Knott, Jr., Bookseller, ABAA/ILAB

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John W. Knott, Jr., Bookseller, ABAA/ILAB

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About John W. Knott, Jr., Bookseller, ABAA/ILAB

John W. Knott, Jr., BooksellerABAA/ILABFine First Editions

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Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:

Half Title: The blank front page which appears just prior to the title page, and typically contains only the title of the book, although, at...
Wrappers: The paper covering on the outside of a paperback. Also see the entry for pictorial wraps, color illustrated coverings for...
Edges: The collective of the top, fore and bottom edges of the text block of the book, being that part of the edges of the pages of a...
Title Page: A page at the front of a book which may contain the title of the book, any subtitles, the authors, contributors, editors, the...
Octavo: Another of the terms referring to page or book size, octavo refers to a standard printer's sheet folded four times, producing...
Spine: The outer portion of a book which covers the actual binding. The spine usually faces outward when a book is placed on a shelf....