James Bond First Editions

Diamonds are Forever.

FLEMING, Ian Lancaster (1908-1964).

London: Jonathan Cape, 1956. [Spy thriller] FIRST EDITION, Binding A (Fabroleen cloth), an unusual association/presentation copy with signed inscription by Ian Fleming's literary editor William Plomer. Octavo (20 x 14cm), pp.257; [1], blank. Publisher's black cloth titled in silver, pictorial jacket by Pat Marriott. With ink note to flyleaf; A. Franklyn. / from W. Plomer. / March 1956. //. Housed in a custom-made clamshell box. A pre-publication copy (the date of release was 26th March 1956, and all the other Franklyn copies we purchased at the same time were presented before publication). Some spotting to edges and first and final gatherings, externally fine. Correspondingly used jacket supplied, with some torn loss to rear flap ads. William Plomer (1903-73), was a senior reader at Jonathan Cape Ltd., and one of Fleming's most trusted friends. He was instrumental in getting Casino Royale published and read and advised on each successive Fleming manuscript. He was unofficially Fleming's Editor-in Chief, and the novel Goldfinger is dedicated to him [Gilbert, p.650]. This copy was later part of the comprehensive James Bond collection of bibliographer Jon Gilbert, with accompanying provenance. Item #65403

Gilbert A4a (1.1).

Price: £8,750.00