The Russia House.

JOHN le CARRE

Publication: London Limited Editions, 1989, London

First edition. 8vo..One of 250 numbered copies signed by the author and bound in quarter leather and marbled boards. This is copy number 154. Lightly foxed along top edge, else fine in glassine dust jacket that has trivial wear to the spine ends., corners and extremities.

In Moscow, at a small British trade fair, documents change hands; military secrets that can alter the course of world events. It can destroy the people it touches....especially Barley Blair. Blair is a drinker, saxophonist and derelict publisher. He is perplexed to find the papers addressed to him and to find himself pressed into service by the British Intelligence. Their invitation to heroism lacks appeal until he meets Katya Orlova, the lovely intermediary who offers Blair the"gift of trust."