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Casino Royale

by FLEMING, Ian

Description

London: Jonathan Cape, 1953 8vo, first edition of the first 'james bond' novel, presentation copy INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR to the publisher ralph arnold ("To | Ralph. | We have now both | reduced our remainders | by one copy! | Ian") on front free endpaper, together with note of explanation "I having told Ian, from the depths of my publishing experience, that he would be lucky if he made £200 out of this, his first thriller!! R.A.", original black cloth lettered in red on spine and with heart design on upper cover, some browning and spotting, head and foot of spine very slightly bumped. CATALOGUE NOTE: an early and humorous inscription that pre-dates the success of the james bond series. Ralph Arnold (1906-1970), novelist, historical writer and publisher joined Constable's in 1936 and, from 1958 to 1962, was chairman of that publishing firm. His obituary in The Times specifically noted his friendship with Peter Fleming, Ian Fleming's elder brother. Andrew Lycett, in his biography of Ian Fleming, states that 'Ian became aware of the power of his imagination' in the Kitzbuchel establishment of the Forbes Dennises. Here his mentor was apparently Phyllis Bottome and, as Lycett notes: As the evenings drew in that winter, the silver-haired novelist would gather her young men around her... and she would begin to weave a tale. They were expected to contribute their own embellishments to the story. The competition to tell the most spell-binding saga was often palpable since two other pupils, apart from Ian, went on to become writers - Ralph Arnold... and Nigel Dennis... (Andrew Lycett, Ian Fleming, London, 1995, p.34) // A UNIQUE COPY!!!! Photos available upon request. . Signed By the Author / Signé Par L'auteur. VERY GOOD / TRÈS BON/No Dust Jacket/Pas De Jaquette. 8vo.