Books

Bath: Cedric Chivers Press / New Portway, and Thorpe / Ulverscroft, 1975, 1979-1983. [Spy novel] ALL FIRST EDITIONS THUS. Large print. Octavo (22 x 14 x 27cm) All bound in publisher's hardcovers blocked in gilt to the spine, in photographic dust-jackets. None are rebound by libraries. Usual institutional markings within, free endpaper clipped to 'Dr No', same removed from 'Diamonds Are Forever'. Used as expected, but generally presentable in jackets. Moonraker has no markings and is fine/as new throughout. A genuinely scarce set, from the collection of award-winning Ian Fleming bibliographer Jon Gilbert (pencil ownership within). This was the best set he could assemble over a twenty-year period, and is virtually impossible to put together nowadays. These large print edition were issued exclusively to lending libraries (with LA 'Library Association' logos printed on rear) and are rarely (if ever) found without library markings. Thirteen titles were published by Chivers; Moonraker was…

Doctor No is the sixth novel in Ian Fleming's James Bond series, originally published in 1958. It follows the British MI6 agent on a mission to Jamaica where he encounters the eponymous villain, Dr. Julius No, who is plotting to sabotage an American space launch with the help of his criminal organization.