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London: Jonathan Cape. 1957. First edition, first printing. First edition, first printing. Publisher's original black cloth with titles and rose design in silver and red to the upper board and spine, in the Richard Chopping illustrated dustwrapper. A fine copy, the binding firm and square, the cloth bright and fresh. The contents are clean throughout and without foxing, inscriptions or stamps. Complete with the near fine lightly rubbed dustwrapper that remains without fading loss or tears. Correctly priced 13s 6d net to the front flap. A superb example in entirely original condition, scarce thus. The fifth of Ian Feming's James Bond novels and the first to feature the unmistakable dustwrapper artwork of Richard Chopping. 14,087 copies of the first edition were printed. [Gilbert A5a (1.1)] Further details and images for any of the items listed are available on request. Lucius Books welcomes direct contact with our customers.

"From Russia, with Love" by Ian Fleming is a spy thriller featuring James Bond, the iconic British Secret Service agent. In this novel, Bond is assigned a perilous mission by MI6 to acquire a Soviet encoding machine, the Spektor, and to discern the true intentions behind the offering of this seemingly valuable device. The story begins with a depiction of the intricate planning by the clandestine Soviet agency SMERSH, which devises an elaborate plot to discredit and assassinate James Bond. Their strategy involves using a beautiful Russian cipher clerk, Tatiana Romanova, to lure Bond into a web of deceit. Bond is dispatched to Istanbul, where he is tasked with making contact with Tatiana and retrieving the Spektor. As Bond arrives in Istanbul, he becomes embroiled in a dangerous game of espionage and deceit. Tatiana, seemingly defecting from the Soviets, offers to provide the Spektor to the British, seeking asylum in return. However, Bond soon realizes that this apparent defection is part of a meticulously crafted scheme. His mission turns perilous as he discovers that Tatiana's involvement is orchestrated by SMERSH, aiming to eliminate Bond as part of their intricate plan to damage British intelligence. The novel follows Bond's encounters with various adversaries, including Red Grant, a skilled and ruthless assassin tasked with eliminating him. Bond faces life-threatening situations and engages in daring maneuvers to outwit his enemies, relying on his resourcefulness and skills to survive. Fleming's narrative is filled with suspenseful twists and turns, intricate plotting, and Bond's characteristic blend of charm, intelligence, and bravery. The story builds to an intense climax aboard the Orient Express, where Bond confronts Grant in a thrilling and deadly showdown. "From Russia, with Love" is a classic espionage novel that showcases the danger, intrigue, and high-stakes world of Cold War espionage. It remains a beloved entry in the James Bond series, celebrated for its gripping storyline, intricate plotting, and the depiction of Bond's cunning and resilience in the face of formidable adversaries.

The first edition has very dark boards (almost black) with a white revolver and rose stem on the front, with a red rose head. FROM RUSSIA, WITH LOVE in red on the spine, and IAN FLEMING in WHITE at the top of the spine. The jacket features the revolver and rose on the front.