HOLLANDER (John).
Reflections on Espionage. The Question of Cupcake.
Small chip at foot of spine, otherwise fine, inscribed by the author “For John le Carré, Direktor from Cupcake’s Dichter, with continued admiration “Besonders alser lasst genug geschelen!” John Hollander. New York, December 1974.”
The long poem is presented as decoded transmissions from a spy who “worked from an altogether inconvenient little republic which ceased to exist a good time ago.” This is its first printing - some three or four book editions (slightly enlarged) followed it. The book was sent at Hollander’s request by his friend Bob Gottlieb, who was also Cornwell’s New York publisher: William Flesch (‘Playing Patience. John Hollander’s Reflections on Espionage’ Southwest Review, Vol. 86, No. 2/3 (2001), pp. 228-245) notes that Hollander was a particular admirer of le Carré’s books.
From the library of David Cornwell aka John Le Carré.
Maggs Bros. Ltd., Catalogue 1526, John Le Carré: Books from The Library of Jane and David Cornwell at Tregiffian, Item 258.
