Books

London: Jonathan Cape, 1964. [Spy novel] FIRST EDITION, First State, Binding B, VARIANT with TWO PAIRS of 'bamboo' patterned endpapers bound in at the front. Octavo (20 x 14cm), pp.256. Publisher's black cloth-effect paper (type A cloth) over boards with silver titles to spine and Japanese characters in gilt to upper, dust-jacket by Richard Chopping, bespoke clamshell box. Minor wear to both book and jacket. Very good indeed. This binding cloth 'is far less common' (Gilbert p.392), and coupled with the double endpapers it makes for an elusive binding variant. From the Jon Gilbert collection (pencil ownership within). Benson: The James Bond Bedside Companion, pp.135-6. Gilbert A12a(1.2), also pp.639-40.

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.