The Spy Who Came in from the Cold (1963)

Victor Gollancz published The Spy Who Came in from the Cold in September 1963, and it sold so quickly that Gollancz reprinted it several times, starting before publication. That makes the copyright page the deciding test: a first impression carries no later impression statement, while reprints say second impression, fifth impression and so on.

What to check:

• Copyright page: no impression statement. A copy marked second impression before publication is not a first, however early it looks.
• Publisher and date: Victor Gollancz, 1963.
• Wrap-around band: a promotional band was issued with early copies and is a desirable extra when present.

The binding and jacket are no help on their own, because the reprints used the same cloth and the same red and white jacket. Dealers also disagree about the binding colour of the first impression, so we have not used it as a test.

The American edition from Coward-McCann is a separate book with its own value.

Le Carré signed many books, so a signature needs provenance. For unsigned copies, value turns on the impression, a bright and unclipped jacket, and the band.

Sources: Bauman Rare Books, Lycanthia Books, Brought to Book, Setanta Books, rareandantiquebooks.com and Saffronart.