Live and Let Die.

FLEMING, Ian.

Published by London: Jonathan Cape, 1954

About this Item

First edition, first impression, in the first issue jacket, without the design credit slug on the front flap, inscribed "Yes Leslie I was J. B., love, Roger Moore", and signed by Guy Hamilton (Director) and Madeline Smith (Miss Caruso). This copy was inscribed for the composer and lyricist Leslie Bricusse and has his additional annotations identifying the inscriptions or signatures. Bricusse (1931-2021) was the lyricist for the Bond songs "Goldfinger" and "You Only Live Twice". His musicals include Stop the World - I Want to Get Off, Doctor Dolittle, Scrooge, and Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. He won two Academy Awards, one Grammy Award, and was awarded the Order of the British Empire. "The controversial second James Bond title was the earliest book in the series to suffer a ban. Publication in May 1954 was refused in the Republic of Ireland [and] this act may have helped provide early general publicity for James Bond" (Gilbert, p. 62). Jackets in the second issue credit the design artist, Kenneth Lewis, via a stamp on the front flap. As the stamp's lettering was smaller than the printed text, the jacket was later entirely reset, with Lewis's credit set in italic and increased in size to match the printed blurb. Lewis had previously illustrated the jacket for Casino Royale, albeit without credit, after a design conceived by Fleming. Heartened by the sustained positive response to his James Bond series, Fleming noted to the publishers in March, "I think there are plenty of bullets left in Bond's gun. People do seem to be quite incapable of putting [Live and Let Die] down, once they have started it" (Gilbert, p. 63). It was later adapted into the 1973 film starring Roger Moore. Gilbert A2a (1.1.). Octavo. Original black boards, spine lettered in gilt, coin device on front cover in gilt. With dust jacket. Small marks to front board, mild foxing; jacket bright with some toning and foxing, extremities slightly rubbed, short closed tear to rear panel, unclipped: a very good copy in like jacket.

Seller Inventory # 185842

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Live and Let Die.
• Publisher: London: Jonathan Cape, 1954
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)