First edition, first impression, introducing the criminal organization SPECTRE and its leader, Ernst Stavro Blofeld. The novel grew from an unfilmed Bond screenplay Fleming made in collaboration with Kevin McClory, Jack Whittingham, Ivar Bryce, and Ernest Cuneo. On hearing Fleming had turned the script into a novel, McClory and Whittingham attempted but failed to delay its publication through the courts.
The book was later adapted into the film of 1965, starring Sean Connery.
Octavo. Original dark brown boards, spine lettered in gilt (Gilbert's binding A), skeletal hand motif to front cover in blind. With dust jacket.
Bump to head of front cover, light foxing to edges and endpapers; price-clipped jacket remaining bright: a very good copy in near-fine jacket.
Gilbert A9a (1.1).