Goldfinger by Ian Fleming, First Edition, Second State, in Original Dust Jacket, 1959

Fleming, Ian. Goldfinger. London: Jonathan Cape, 1959. First edition, second state. In the publisher's original black cloth boards, with an embossed skull, gilt eyes, and gilt titles to the spine. Original unclipped dust jacket. Presented with a new archival ¼ leather and cloth clamshell.

This is the first edition, second state of Ian Fleming’s James Bond novel, Goldfinger. The book is presented in its original cloth boards and striking skull and dust jacket as designed by Richard Chopping. The book was published by Jonathan Cape on March 23, 1959, with a print run of 24,000. The seventh book in Ian Fleming’s internationally acclaimed James Bond series, Goldfinger was received more positively than its predecessor, Dr. No, and was heralded as “a superlative thriller from our foremost literary magician” (New York Herald Tribune). 

While following Auric Goldfinger, a wealthy investor in the gold trade with ties to the Soviet counterintelligence agency, Bond is pulled into a malicious plot to infiltrate and steal the gold of Fort Knox. His efforts to thwart Goldfinger are assisted by Tilly Masterton, who seeks retribution for her murdered sister, and together they fight Goldfinger and his Korean factotum, Oddjob. Fleming used American gold tycoon Charles W. Engelhard Jr. as the inspiration for his Goldfinger character, one of his best villains.

Ian Fleming (1908–1964) was an intelligence officer, journalist, and creator of the fictional British Secret service agent James Bond. Beginning in 1939 he served as a liaison between the Navy and the other secret services, where he was privy to the highest levels of intelligence and became known for his creativity in planning operations, work that inspired his later novels. After the war, Fleming became a journalist and in 1953 published his first James Bond novel, Casino Royale. It was a success, and Fleming wrote a new Bond book each year until his untimely death in 1964.

CONDITION:

Book is in very good condition. Original black blind embossed skull stamp on the front boards, with gold in the eye sockets and gilt titles to spine. No embossed line on skull, indicating a second issue. Original publisher’s dust jacket with skull and rose design, as designed by Richard Chopping. Unclipped dust jacket with 15s net, with slight foxing on rear panel, minor spotting on front panel, new mylar. Clean interior, with light foxing on the first few pages, but the rest of the pages are very clean and unmarked. 

The book is housed in a new archival ¼ leather and cloth clamshell case. Clamshell’s spine has raised bands, gilt tooling, and gilt titles. The front of the clamshell features an inlaid image of the original Goldfinger dust jacket art. Interior of the clamshell has an embossed Ian Fleming facsimile signature stamp.

Book Dimensions:  7 3/4" H x 5 1/4" W x 1 1/8" D. Clamshell Dimensions:  8 7/8" H x 6 3/8" W x 2" D.

Accompanied by the company's letter of authenticity.