Beschreibung:

FLEMING, Ian (1908-1964). Casino Royale . London: Jonathan Cape, 1953. 8° (192 x 126mm). Original black cloth, spine lettered in red, upper cover centred with a heart in red. (Lacking dust-jacket, light rubbing.) Provenance : Ian Fleming (gift inscription to:) -- Robert Harling.
FLEMING, Ian (1908-1964). Casino Royale . London: Jonathan Cape, 1953. 8° (192 x 126mm). Original black cloth, spine lettered in red, upper cover centred with a heart in red. (Lacking dust-jacket, light rubbing.) Provenance : Ian Fleming (gift inscription to:) -- Robert Harling. FIRST EDITION OF THE FIRST BOND BOOK, INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR: 'Robert. The first of Balzaches' collected works. Ian'. Ian Fleming's inspiration for Casino Royale was a baccarat battle Fleming played in Lisbon during the Second World War against several Portuguese men. According to one biographer, Fleming whispered at the table to his friend John Godfrey: 'Just suppose these fellows were German agents -- what a coup it would be if we cleaned them out entirely!' (John Pearson The Life of Ian Fleming , London: 1966, p.131). Together with FLEMING, Ian (1908-1964). You Only Live Twice . London: Jonathan Cape, 1964. 8° (189 x 127mm). Orignal publisher's cloth, spine lettered in silver, upper cover lettered in Japanese in gilt. (Lacking dust-jacket, light rubbing, one corner slightly bumped) Provenance : Ian Fleming (gift inscription to:) -- Robert Harling. FIRST EDITION, FIRST ISSUE, INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR: 'To Robert. But not to read! From Ian'.