Books

First edition, first impression, in the first issue dust jacket, presentation copy, inscribed by the author, "To Tony, Read & Burn, Ian". This is a wonderful association copy: the recipient was his friend Anthony Kemsley (later to become Sir Anthony Berry), the youngest son of Viscount Kemsley, a significant figure in Fleming's life. Kemsley, owner of The Sunday Times among others, offered Fleming a job as foreign news manager of Kemsley Newspapers after the war, and enabled him to write the Bond novels by allowing an unusual clause in Fleming's contract: Fleming would take January and February as his annual paid leave, during which time he worked on his novels at Goldeneye, on Jamaica's north shore; Casino Royale was completed over this period in 1952. Fleming sometimes "ordered a correspondent to change his name if he did not like it. His view was that, generally speaking, all foreign correspondents should have British-sounding names. Mario Modiano in Athens became Michael Manning, Mozandi in Tehran became Mostyn, while Geoffrey Bocca in New York one day received a terse cable from Fleming saying: allez bocca ave barker. Once however, Fleming had this trick played back at him. When Anthony Berry, Lord Kemsley's youngest son, was editing the Sunday Chronicle, a story came in from the Gibraltar correspondent on a security issue and a request that his byline should not be used. This occurred shortly after Fleming had his first novel published. 'We must have some byline,' said Anthony Berry. 'Why not James Bond, Gibraltar?' This byline was duly used" (McCormick, p. 129). READ MORE Octavo. Original black cloth, spine lettered in red, heart device to front cover in red. With the supplied dust jacket. Housed in a custom black quarter morocco case, red morocco labels, compartments gilt, front panel with gold and red onlays repeating design from dust jacket. Spine gently cocked, minor marks to covers, book block slightly rippled, foxing to endpapers, contents otherwise clean and unmarked. A very good copy in the jacket, neat repair to joints of flaps, a little repair and colour to head of spine and front fore-tip, small chips around extremities, unclipped, bright and presenting nicely. Gilbert A1a (1.1). Donald McCormick, 17F: The Life of Ian Fleming, 1993.

"Casino Royale," penned by Ian Fleming and published in 1953, introduces readers to James Bond, the iconic British spy known for his charm, wit, and penchant for danger. The story unfolds as Bond is assigned a mission to bankrupt Le Chiffre, a Soviet agent and treasurer for a criminal syndicate, at a high-stakes baccarat game in the Casino Royale in France. Bond navigates a treacherous world of espionage, encountering deceit, betrayal, and violence while trying to outwit Le Chiffre. Along the way, he crosses paths with Vesper Lynd, a complex and enigmatic woman whose involvement complicates his mission. As Bond confronts perilous situations and faces adversaries, he must rely on his cunning and resourcefulness to emerge victorious in this thrilling tale of espionage and intrigue.