James Bond First Editions

The Life of Ian Fleming [four variant copies].

PEARSON, John (born 1930).

London: Jonathan Cape, New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 1965. [Literary biography] FIRST EDITION COLLECTION, comprising (1) BRITISH UNCORRECTED PROOF, (2) hardback first issue, (3) hardback second issue with publisher's printed statement inserted and revised jacket ink, and (4) hardback first US McGraw-Hill edition, also with publisher's statement. Octavos, proof copy in printed card covers, remainder being hardbacks in dust-jackets. Supplied with two sheets of bibliographer's notes. Proof, American edition and UK second issue are near fine, first issue is very good with some chips, etc. One jacket is price-clipped. An informative first-hand biography of James Bond's creator, written by a close friend and colleague working alongside the author both in wartime intelligence work and as Fleming's assistant at the Foreign Desk of The Sunday Times. An unusual collection; the proof copy contained some potentially damaging text concerning the Thunderball plagiarism case, which would be removed before general publication. Even then, it was necessary for the publisher the clarify further, and shortly after release a printed statement was included with then-current stocks. This slip acknowledges some factual errors in the text concerning the Thunderball legal action and confirms that alterations will be made for future editions. Item #61371

Gilbert, Jon. Ian Fleming: The Bibliography, page 592.

Price: £1,000.00