Books

London: Jonathan Cape. 1955. First edition, first printing. First edition, first printing. Publisher's original black cloth with silver titles to upper board and spine, in the Kenneth Lewis illustrated dustwrapper. An excellent near fine copy, the binding square and firm, the cloth bright and fresh. The contents, with a small previous owner's stamp in blue to the front pastedown (hidden by the dustwrapper flap) are otherwise clean throughout. The closed text block edge just a little toned. Complete with the very good or better, lightly rubbed and nicked dustwrapper which has the habitual fading of the spine but in this case with the flames still definable. The rear panel is somewhat toned and spotted. Price-clipped to the lower front flap but not to the rear (10s 6d net). An attractive example in entirely original condition. Housed in a bespoke quarter black leather solander case. The third novel in Ian Fleming's James Bond series. This example of the book in the second…

In 'Moonraker', Ian Fleming's third James Bond novel, the British secret agent uncovers a plot by the enigmatic Sir Hugo Drax, who is building a powerful rocket capable of destroying London. As Bond delves deeper, the danger and betrayal he encounters bring him to the brink of death in this classic espionage thriller.

One way to determine if a copy of 'Moonraker' is a first edition is to check the publisher on the book's dust jacket and the price. First editions were published by Jonathan Cape with no other printings listed and priced at 10s 6d. The boards are black with silver lettering, and it should have a pictorial dust jacket featuring a crossbow designed by Kenneth Lewis.