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Published in 1909 by Hurst and Blackett of London, Spies of the Kaiser: Plotting the Downfall of England is a landmark work of Edwardian spy fiction — one of the most significant British thrillers of the pre-First World War era. Written by William Le Queux, a pioneer of the genre who helped establish the template for British espionage literature decades before James Bond, the novel tapped into genuine public anxiety about German infiltration and shaped popular attitudes toward national security in the years leading up to 1914.
This copy is a genuine first edition in its original beige linen cloth binding, complete with publisher blind stamp on the rear board — exactly as issued, without a dust jacket, which was standard for the period. It is an honest survivor of over 110 years, offered as a display or reading copy for those who appreciate the real thing over a reproduction.
This book is suited to collectors of Edwardian spy fiction, students and researchers of pre-war British invasion literature, Le Queux enthusiasts, and WWI history readers who want primary-era material on their shelves.
| Title | Spies of the Kaiser: Plotting the Downfall of England |
| Author | William Le Queux |
| Publisher | Hurst and Blackett Ltd, London |
| Publication Year | 1909 |
| Edition | First Edition |
| Era / Period | Edwardian / 1900s |
| Format | Hardcover |
| Binding | Cloth hardcover (linen weave, beige / natural) |
| Genre | Spy Fiction / Thriller / Invasion Literature |
| Language | English |
| Approximate Pages | 177+ |
| Illustrated | No |
| Dust Jacket | None (not issued) |
| Special Features | Publisher blind stamp on rear board |
| Original / Reproduction | Original |
| Country of Publication | United Kingdom |
| Related Work | The Invasion of 1910 by the same author |
Grade: Used — Acceptable. This is a heavily worn copy that honestly reflects its age of over 110 years. It is offered as a display or reading copy, not a fine collectible.
Boards & Exterior: Cloth boards are heavily soiled, marked, and rubbed throughout with extensive surface grime and discolouration. Spine is intact but cloth is fraying badly at the head and tail. All four corners are bumped and the cloth is splitting at each. The publisher blind stamp on the rear board remains clearly legible.
Binding & Structure: The binding is still holding and the text block is complete, but the spine hinge is cracked and the text block is beginning to pull away from the case internally. Handle with care.
Endpapers & Interior: Endpapers are toned and creased. The front pastedown carries a faint pencil inscription. Internal pages are uniformly toned and browned with age but are clean of annotations on viewed pages and remain legible throughout. No dust jacket was issued with this edition.
Q: Is this a genuine first edition or a later reprint?
A: This is a genuine 1909 first edition published by Hurst and Blackett Ltd of London. The publisher blind stamp on the rear board is consistent with original period production. It is not a facsimile, reprint, or reproduction.
Q: Is the text fully readable despite the age and condition?
A: Yes. The internal pages are uniformly toned and browned — as expected for paper of this age — but the text is legible throughout on all viewed pages. There are no missing pages, torn leaves, or significant water damage to the text block.
Q: Are there any previous owner inscriptions or bookplates inside?
A: There is a faint pencil inscription on the front pastedown. No bookplates were noted. The internal pages are otherwise clean of written annotations on viewed pages.
Q: Is the binding stable enough for careful reading or display?
A: The text block is complete and the spine is present, so the book can be carefully read or displayed. However, the spine hinge is cracked and the text block is beginning to separate from the case, so it should be handled gently. It is not suitable for regular heavy use.
Q: Was a dust jacket ever issued with this book?
A: No dust jacket was produced for this edition — this is standard for Edwardian cloth-bound novels of this period. The absence of a jacket is not a flaw; this copy is complete as originally issued.
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