THE KARLA TRILOGY [Tinker, Tailor Soldier Spy, The Honourable Schoolboy; and Smiley's People] (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1974-77-80). A SIGNED SET of the 'Karla' Trilogy : 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy', 'The Honourable Schoolboy' and 'Smiley's People'. All three titles are the First UK printings published by Hodder and Stoughton in 1974, 1977 and 1980 respectively and have been signed and/or signed & inscribed by the late John Le Carré to the title page. The set comprises: Volume 1: Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (London: Hodder & Stoughton 1974). First UK Edition. Black boards in fine condition, clean end-papers with minuscule offsetting, very clean pages, smidgen of spotting to the fore-edge, top-stain lightly faded in part. Signed in blue biro by the author on the title page without dedication. The dustwrapper is very near fine, not price-clipped, has slight paling to the spine, and shows well. The first impression of Le Carré's first novel in the Karla Trilogy, in which George Smiley makes his fifth appearance as a 'master of the black arts of deceit' in British Intelligence. Volume 2: The Honourable Schoolboy (London: Hodder & Stoughton 1977). First UK Edition. Publisher's dark-blue boards with gilt lettering to the spine. Blue first issue map end-papers. A VG+ copy with some scattered foxing and offsetting to both sets of end-papers and a hint of foxing to the fore-edge. The near fine dustwrapper is very lightly faded to the spine with a hint of surface loss at the spine tips. Inscribed in blue fountain pen by the Author to the dedication page below the printed dedication to his wife: "and for Maryella/ for her/ ? th/ birthday/ with best wishes/ from David/ alias/ John Le Carré". Laid in is a hand-written letter from David Cornwell on his embossed headed paper and sent from his former home in Cornwall (and dated 13. 11. 90): "Dear Maryella, Thank you for your kind invitation on behalf of the Friends of Penlee House; I was most touched by it. Unfortunately it is at this stage impossible for me to commit myself responsibly to anything next year, & particularly next winter, because of the vagaries of the film industry. I have two projects, both in remote parts of the earth, both adaptations of novels of mine, and one of them is scheduled for shooting on 1st October in places as diverse as the Middle East & South-East Asia. So if you would prefer to go for someone else, it would be much safer -- & indeed I am sure you should, much as I should like to accept. Give our love to the girls, & all good wishes to you also -- how lovely to have so many grandchildren in the making! Best, David". Laid in is a newspaper article by Thomas Hornall following Le Carré's sad death in 2020 and a tribute from the Cornishman by Robert Rowlands dated December 17, 2020 headed: "Tributes pour in for literary giant". Volume 3: Smiley's People (London: Hodder & Stoughton 1980). First UK Edition, First Impression. Signed by the late John Le Carré to the title page. Publisher's blue boards with gilt spine lettering. A former owner's name to the top left-hand corner of the front paste-down otherwise a near fine copy (with NO FOXING) in like dustwrapper with just a hint of spine fade. Signed in blue-black ink by the Author to the title page as "John Le Carré". All three volumes have their correct publisher's price to the inside flap of each volume: £2.95; £4.95 and £5.95 respectively. John Le Carré magnum opus. Photographs/scans available upon request.
