Books

First edition, first impression, of the last Bond book published during the lifetime of Fleming, who died later that year. Based on Japanese material which Fleming gathered during his five-week foreign jaunt for the Sunday Times, the novel is titled after a poem by Bashō: "You only live twice: Once when you are born, And once when you look death in the face" (p. 7). This copy is in the second state, the copyright page giving "First Published March 1964" rather than "First Published 1964". The film adaptation was released three years later, starring Sean Connery and with the screenplay written by Roald Dahl. Octavo. Original black boards (Gilbert's binding A), spine lettered in silver, Japanese lettering on front cover in gilt, patterned endpapers. With dust jacket by Richard Chopping. Edges foxed, one short closed tear to p. 23/4; unclipped jacket with decorative corner clips as issued, spine panel faded, else bright, nicks and creases to extremities: a very good copy in like jacket. Gilbert A12a (1.3).

In 'You Only Live Twice,' James Bond is devastated by the death of his wife and goes to Japan on what seems a diplomatic mission. He becomes involved with the mysterious 'Tiger' Tanaka and his plot to disrupt the Soviet intelligence network in Japan. Bond's revenge takes him on a dangerous quest after his nemesis, Ernst Stavro Blofeld.