Books

First edition, first impression, of the James Bond book which "pushed Ian into the best-seller category in Britain", and the first with jacket art by Richard Chopping. "The sophisticated cover [art] gave Ian added grounds to believe that he had climbed into a higher category. After waiting so long for recognition, he was impatient to capitalize on it" (Shakespeare, p. 558). The film adaptation, starring Sean Connery, premiered in 1963. Octavo. Original black boards (Gilbert's binding B, no priority), lettering on spine and revolver-and-rose motif on front cover stamped in silver and red. With dust jacket by Richard Chopping. Gift inscription on front free endpaper in blue ink. Binding square, mild foxing to edges, contents clean; jacket unclipped, spine lightly browned, foxing to panels, ends and corners a little chipped, 2.5 cm closed tear to upper spine fold: a near-fine copy in very good jacket. Gilbert A5a (1.2). Nicholas Shakespeare, Ian Fleming: The Complete Man, 2023.

"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.