James Bond First Editions

Funeral in Berlin. Secret File Number 3.

DEIGHTON, Len (born 1929).

London: Jonathan Cape, [1964] 1965. [Cold-war spy thriller] First edition, third impression (jacket as first). Octavo (20 x 14cm), pp.[1] 319 [2]. Publisher's black cloth with blue rubber-stamp motif and blind 'downgraded to unclassified' box blocked to upper board, gilt titles to spine, endpapers printed in German 'black letter' type. With the photographic dust-jacket designed by Raymond Hawkey priced at 18s. No inscriptions, edges clean, jacket lightly handled only. Basis for the classic film starring Michael Caine as 'Harry Palmer', produced by Harry Saltzman who made the Bond movies; mention of the film 'From Russia, With Love' appears on the dust-wrapper flap, as does a quote from Queen magazine, claiming Deighton's hero was "James Bond's most serious rival". Deighton contributed to the script of From Russia, With Love at the request of Harry Saltzman, who went on to produce the Harry Palmer film series. Deighton also wrote parts of the 'Warhead' and 'Never Say Never Again' scripts, based on the 'Thunderball' film treatment. Item #74415

Milward-Oliver: Len Deighton, p.29. Gilbert: Ian Fleming The Bibliography, p.632.

Price: £40.00