CASINO ROYALE

First edition, first printing. Publisher's original black cloth with red titles to the spine and heart motif to the upper board, in the author designed, Kenneth Lewis illustrated dustwrapper. A very near fine copy, the binding firm and tight, the cloth and titles fresh and bright. The contents with just a hint of spotting to the front endpaper are otherwise clean throughout and without inscriptions or stamps. Complete with the very lightly rubbed dustwrapper that has a tiny closed tear to the upper rear spine fold and mild toning to the rear panel but remains bright and without loss. Not price-clipped (correctly priced 10s 6d net to both the front and rear flap). A superb example, without repair or restoration.

The author's first book, introducing the British secret agent 007, James Bond. Of the 4728 copies of the first edition bound for sale, only 3000 carried this first state dustwrapper. Much, (as many as half) of the first printing went into the public library system. [Gilbert A1a 1.1]