Live and Let Die | 1954, first edition, first state dustjacket.

A scarce first edition of Ian Fleming's Live and Let Die, the second James Bond novel in the rare first state dustjacket.

These first state dustjackets made no mention of Kenneth Lewis and at some point the need was recognised to credit his work. Jonathan Cape, the publisher, created a stamp and as a stopgap existing jackets were overstamped beneath the blurb on the front flap. This rather haphazard solution was swiftly abandoned and the jacket was reset and reprinted to include the Lewis credit.

As such, copies of the first issue in a condition as seen here are incredibly hard to find making these first states all the more desirable to the collector.

Description and Condition:

First edition, first impression. Publishers original black cloth, titles to upper board and spine. A near fine copy, the binding tight and square, the contents clean and without inscriptions or stamps. Near fine lightly rubbed first state dust-jacket, with minor darkening to the flap edges and minor rubbing to the extremities. Presents beautifully.

Published by Jonathan Cape, London, 1954.