Books

London: Cape, 1955. A first edition, first printing published by Cape in 1954. Inscribed by the Author on the front free end-paper: "To/ MW/ The faithful &/ true!/ from/ The Author". With an additional ownership inscription and date (1954) of M J Williams on the front paste-down. The book is accompanied by the correct first state dust wrapper without the artist's (Kenneth Lewis] credit on the front flap. Correctly priced at 10s.6d. net to both the front and rear flaps. There are a few very small internal neat repairs and there is some creasing to the edges and corners with a little light loss to the corners also. Some light soiling to the rear panel as is usual. Muriel Williams (often referred to as MJW or MW) was Fleming's Assistant at Kemsley Newspapers when he was the Foreign Manager. She was responsible for the day-to-day running of the Department in particular liaison with the "stringers" who, from far flung parts of the World, submitted stories for inclusion in the…

Live and Let Die is the second novel in Ian Fleming's James Bond series of stories, and is set in London, the US and Jamaica. It was first published in the UK by Jonathan Cape on 5 April 1954. In the novel, Bond must defeat a dangerous drug lord with plans to finance Soviet espionage in America. The story was developed during Fleming's second stay in Jamaica, where he had extensive knowledge of the local scenery, wildlife, and underworld.