The Ipcress File.

DEIGHTON, Len.

$5,500.00

Item Number: 138473

London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1962.

First British edition of Deighton’s first novel. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, lengthily by the author on the title page, “Maybe its not wise to make too many friends in any business! Best wishes to John Len Deighton London May 9th 2008.” Fine in a very good dust jacket that shows light wear. Jacket design by Raymond Hawkey.

Len Deighton's classic first novel, whose protagonist is a nameless spy, later christened Harry Palmer. It was not only Deighton's first novel, it was his first bestseller and the book that broke the mould of thriller writing. "The Ipcress File helped change the shape of the espionage thriller...the prose is still as crisp and fresh as ever...there is an infectious energy about this book which makes it a joy to read, or re-read" (Sunday Times). It was made into the 1965 film produced by Harry Saltzman and directed by Sidney J. Furie, starring Michael Caine as the protagonist.