James Bond First Editions

Too Hot to Handle (Moonraker).

FLEMING, Ian Lancaster (1908-1964).

New York, NY: Perma Books, 1957. [James Bond] FIRST PRINTING, bibliographer's copy. Paperback (17 x 11cm), pp.125; [1]. Publisher's illustrated soft covers, all edges tinted red. No inscriptions or ink stamps. Minor creasing to covers. A near fine copy of a cheaply-produced book. Moonraker was retitled Too Hot to Handle when Perma Books published it in America in 1956. Perhaps this was to avoid confusion with Arthur Watkin's stage play 'The Moonraker', which was running at the time and was filmed under the same title in 1958. As was the case with the first American paperback edition of Casino Royale [published as You Asked For It], the novel featured the original name as a subtitle on the cover. Too Hot to Handle was notable for being 'Americanised'; replacing British idioms for American ones such as 'knave of hearts' with 'jack of hearts', 'lift' with 'elevator' and 'zebra crossing' with 'pedestrian crossing'. The title reverted to Moonraker in America in 1960, when it was first published by Signet Books. From the collection of Fleming bibliographer Jon Gilbert (pencil ownership within). Item #73348

Price: £275.00