James Bond First Editions

One Man's War.

[Ian Fleming / Bondiana] MASON, Michael.

Oxford: Printed by A.R.Mowbray & Co., Ltd., for the author, 1966. [Military/Espionage/autobiography] FIRST (and only) EDITIION, INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR. Tall octavo (25 x 16cm), pp.x; 182. Bound in light blue buckram, titled in gilt to spine. Author's presentation to rear endpaper 'John / from / Mike', dated 1966. Minor shelfwear. Near fine. Identified as an inspiration for James Bond, Mason was recruited to Naval Intelligence by Ian Fleming, where he was involved in a number of covert operations that have more than a hint of the fictional 007. With the rank of Lt.-Comdr, Mason served with Combined Operations in one of their 'Independent Companies' (Commandos), where he trained in raiding and disruption. Sent to Romania to block the Iron Gates on the Danube in order to halt oil shipments to the Nazi War machine, Mason killed two German agents on a train with his bare hands, disposing of the bodies through a toilet window. A similar scene occurs in From Russia, With Love, aboard the Orient Express. Unlike similar candidates staking a claim as James Bond's model, such as Merlin Minshall, whose 'Guilt Edged' was published in 1975, Mason never made his reminiscences public. This edition was produced purely for private and limited circulation, being conceived mainly as a record for teenage sons inquiring after his war service. Mason also executed missions in Dakar to support D-Day operations, at Anzio, in the invasion of southern France, and in Burma. Amusingly written, entirely credible, this is an invaluable addition to the history of secret services in WWII. Exceptionally scarce; only one copy appears on COPAC (held at the Imperial War Museum); no copies on OCLC. Item #72697

Provenence: Jon Gilbert, bibliographer, purchased from Peter Harrington, London. See Gilbert pp.601, 647.

Price: £1,350.00