Eric Ambler (1909–1998) is widely regarded as the father of the modern spy thriller. His pre-war novels, The Mask of Dimitrios (1939) and Journey into Fear (1940), established the template for the political espionage novel and directly influenced John le Carré, among others. A Crime Writers' Association Cartier Diamond Dagger recipient, Ambler's manuscript and correspondence material is rare on the market.
A remarkable archive of autograph letters and typed letters signed by the English spy-novelist and thriller writer. The collection comprises some 13 autograph letters signed, 4 typed letters signed, a signed Memorandum of Agreement, a typed interview signed with Ambler's annotations, and a small signed photograph with dedication.
Autograph Letters Signed: Variously dated from 1938 up to 1985, the correspondence includes several letters to Miss Eileen Cond, a well-known socialite and collector with whom he appears to have formed an enduring pen-pal relationship. Other correspondents include journalists, a publisher, and fellow author Julian Symons.
Typed Letters Signed: 4 one-page letters dated 1953, 1965, 1966, and 1981 respectively, the last addressed to English crime fiction author Harry Keating.
A Memorandum of Agreement signed for the publication of his short-story collection, The Army of the Shadows (1986).
A Typed Interview with his hand-written responses, signed and dated 1986.
A small photograph inscribed, signed, and dated (1978).
Condition: Very Good or better throughout. Images of many of the documents accompany the listing.
A significant archive of primary material from one of the most important figures in twentieth-century crime and espionage fiction.
