James Bond First Editions

Thunderball.

FLEMING, Ian Lancaster (1908-1964).

London: Jonathan Cape, 1961. [Spy thriller] FIRST EDITION, Binding 'A'. Lord Guthrie's copy (formerly the most senior British Forces officer). Octavo (19 x 13cm), pp.254; [2], bank. Publisher's cloth-effect paper over boards with embossed skeleton hand design to upper board, gilt titles to spine, dust-wrapper illustrated by Richard Chopping, priced at 15s. Contents clean, no inscriptions, some spotting to edges, jacket with two short creased tears at crown. A very good copy with a significant ownership. Field Marshal Charles Ronald Llewelyn Guthrie, Baron Guthrie of Craigiebank, GCB, GCVO, OBE, DL. British Army officer educated at Harrow School and RMA Sandhurst (where Fleming briefly trained). Joined the Welsh Guards (1959), and 22 S.A.S. Regiment (1966), then S.A.S. Commander (1968). He was closely involved in military operations in Northern Ireland and provided advice to the British Government during the Bosnian War and the Kosovo War. Appointed Chief of the General Staff [Head of Army] (1994-1997), and Chief of the Defence Staff [Head of combined military] (1997-2001). Provenance: The Lord Guthrie (personal gift card tucked in), purchased by directly by bibliographer Jon Gilbert in 2009, and kept in his Ian Fleming archive since. Item #68313

Gilbert A9a (1.1).

Price: £875.00