Goldfinger by Ian Fleming, First Edition in Original Dust Jacket, [1959]

Fleming, Ian. Goldfinger. London: Jonathan Cape, [1959.] First edition. Octavo. In the publisher's original black cloth boards, with an embossed skull, gilt eyes, and gilt titles to the spine. Original pictorial dust jacket.

This is the first edition printing of Ian Fleming’s James Bond novel, Goldfinger. The book is presented in its original black boards, stamped in gilt, and striking 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:

Near fine condition. Octavo. Black cloth boards with gilt and embossed front board and spine. Very minor surface losses to gilt on spine. Very light bumping at corners. Internally clean. Very good dust jacket. Bright, decorative dust jacket, not price clipped with "15s net." Some minor chipping. Circular coffee stain on back of jacket and light scattered staining. Jacket protected in mylar.

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

Accompanied by the company's letter of authenticity.