First edition, first impression. 318pp. In black textured cloth-covered boards with gilt titles on spine, skull design blind embossed on front panel with gold leaf coins in eye sockets. Stated first published 1959 on copyright page with no further references to later printings. List of previous Bond thrillers opposite title page runs to Dr. No. 12mo. Cloth is a little rounded at corners and spine ends. Slightly cocked. Upper text block edge a little dust darkened, other edges have minor mild spotting. Front free endpaper has been neatly cut out. Some signs of fingering on pages, last two leaves are creased over the lower corners. Softened. In its original dust jacket, designed by Richard Chopping, price clipped, rubbed all round edges with minor chipping and rubbing at spine ends, a little faded and browned at extreme edges. Half of the inner front flap with taken up with a review of Goldfinger, while the lower half has review for Dr. No. (Later state jackets had a longer review of Goldfinger). Dust jacket now protected in an archival-quality Mylar wrapper fitted without the use of tape or adhesives. A decent copy of Fleming's seventh Bond adventure which may serve to fill a gap in a collection until a fine copy can be sourced and afforded.
James Bond, Modern Fiction Firsts, Fiction, Novels, Thrillers,
