Books

London: Jonathan Cape. 1955. First edition, first printing. First edition, first printing. Publisher's original black cloth with silver titles to upper board and spine, in the Kenneth Lewis illustrated dustwrapper. An excellent near fine copy, the binding square and firm with a little bumping at the spine tips, the cloth bright and fresh. The contents are clean throughout and without inscriptions or stamps. The closed text block edge just a little toned. Complete with the lightly rubbed dustwrapper that has a couple of small foxing spots and small marks to the flap edges and is otherwise without fading, loss or tears. The underside of the dustwrapper is a little toned and marked (not visible to the printed side). Not price-clipped (10s 6d net to the front and rear flaps). The toughest of all Fleming first editions to find without fading to the spine. A very attractive example in entirely original condition. The third novel in Ian Fleming's James Bond series. This example of…

In 'Moonraker', Ian Fleming's third James Bond novel, the British secret agent uncovers a plot by the enigmatic Sir Hugo Drax, who is building a powerful rocket capable of destroying London. As Bond delves deeper, the danger and betrayal he encounters bring him to the brink of death in this classic espionage thriller.

One way to determine if a copy of 'Moonraker' is a first edition is to check the publisher on the book's dust jacket and the price. First editions were published by Jonathan Cape with no other printings listed and priced at 10s 6d. The boards are black with silver lettering, and it should have a pictorial dust jacket featuring a crossbow designed by Kenneth Lewis.