le Carré, John (1971) ‘The Naive and Sentimental Lover’, UK signed and inscribed first edition

John le Carré (David Cornwell) (1971) ‘The Naive and Sentimental Lover‘, UK first edition, first printing, published by Hodder & Stoughton. Signed and inscribed by le Carré on the title page: “Michael Newman from David – John le Carré, 1 June 73.”

Provenance: this is one of four signed first editions signed for Michael Newman which we have recently aquired in the south-west of England. As the inscription in the ‘Russia House’ copy reveals, Michael Newman has been le Carré’s long friend, neighbour and occasional councilor on his work in progress. A wonderful association. Signed copies are exceptionall scarce and desired, and most ‘signed’ copies are either provided by means of a laid in signature or with questionable provenance at best since they tend to be ‘flat signed’ and deserve ‘flat refusal’.

Condition: a near fine copy as pictured. Clean throughout, no previous owner’s scribbles of any sorts. Dust jacket is not price clipped with just a hint of fading on the spine.

‘The Naive and Sentimental Lover’ is le Carré’s sixth novel which has fallen a bit under the rader as it remains his only non-genre novel. However, it is not without significance as it features autobiographical elements and is the novel published before ‘Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy’.