James Bond First Editions

Thunderball.

FLEMING, Ian Lancaster (1908-1964).

London: Jonathan Cape, 1961. [Spy thriller] FIRST EDITION, Binding 'A'. Octavo (19 x 13cm), pp.254. Publisher's cloth-effect paper over boards with embossed skeleton hand design to upper board, gilt titles to spine. In dust-wrapper illustrated by Richard Chopping priced at 15s. No inscriptions. Jacket is clean and bright with some apparently unnecessary archive tape to reverse side, faint pencil impressions and some light foxing to rear flap. Shows rather well. 'Thunderball' is one of the most pivotal works of the series. It was in 'Thunderball' that Fleming first introduced the world to the ultimate Bond villian, Ernest Stavro Blofeld. Though Bond and Blofeld never actually meet here, it is in this book that Bond first battles the schemes of SPECTRE, Blofeld's criminal organisation. It is the first part of the so-called 'Blofeld' trilogy, and was followed by 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service' (1963) and 'You Only Live Twice' (1964). Item #62158

Gilbert, Jon: Ian Fleming The Bibliography, A9a (1.1).

Price: £695.00