FINE ARCHIVE OF LETTERS FROM CRIME WRITERS McCORMICK (Donald, 1911-1998, as 'Richard Deacon' historian of the British, Russian, Chinese and Israeli Secret Services)

Fascinating Archive of 31 letters or returned questionnaires, written to McCormick in connection with his 'Who's Who in Spy Fiction, 1977', containing answers on how the authors write their stories, how they see their characters, their own involvement in Intelligence, and on the official reaction to their 'revelations' even when couched in fiction, together with a signed copy of the book, and an offprint by Katy Fletcher (b. 1958, collaborator on the 2nd edition, 1990), of her article "Evolution of the Modern American Spy Novel", 1987, tracing its development from pure fiction to those set in "real" situations, to the point where they are read voraciously by the CIA, together 34 items, 1976 (29) and 1977 -

The authors represented, most with signatures, are Allbeury, Bingham, Blackburn, Robert Campbell, Crispin, Egleton, Anthony Firth, Follett, Sarah Gainham, John Gardner, J.T. Grady, Graeme, Greenland, William Haggard, Heald, Henissart, Hone, Howlett, Keating, Lilley, Luard, G.T. Lyall, Osmond, Anthony Price, Angus Ross, Royce, D.P. Seaman, J. Symons, W.H. Wager, Ted Willis, also a letter from Edgar Wallace's daughter. "Certainly I did have links with intelligence - what do you think Antony has been doing all these years?" (Sarah Gainham), "As a muckraker, I am also a unique type of spy [handling] highly classified purloined documents" (J.T. Grady), "He was the first of my characters who would not let me do as I liked with the plot" (Ken Follett), "Guy Burgess and Donald Maclean were also family acquaintances" (N. Luard).
The book includes McCormick's own penetrating comments, and covers many older writers from J. Fenimore Cooper onwards. Signed on title and with an original correction on p. 98, a fine copy in dust jacket.

Item Date:  1989

Stock No:  50715      £1750

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