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

A rare Ian Fleming first edition and one of the most sought after James Bond books with the original first state dustjacket, here in excellent and unrestored condition.

The first state of the dustjacket for this Live and Let Die first edition did not credit Kenneth Lewis, the designer. Recognising the omission, Jonathan Cape, the publishers, devised a stopgap solution: a stamped credit applied beneath the blurb on the front flap of existing jackets. This ad-hoc measure was quickly abandoned in favour of resetting and reprinting the jacket with Lewis’s name properly included.

As a result, surviving first-issue examples in this condition are exceptionally scarce, making these first states the most desirable for collectors of rare James Bond first editions.

Description & Condition

First edition, first impression. Publisher’s original black cloth with titles to the upper board and spine. A near-fine copy, the binding tight and square, the contents clean and free from inscriptions or stamps. The first-state dust jacket is lightly rubbed, with minor darkening to the edges and slight wear to the extremities There are some nicks and chips to the extremities but nothing major making is a stunning example and has received no restoration and priced incredibly competitively. An excellent example that presents beautifully on the shelf. A collector's dream!

Published by Jonathan Cape, London, 1954.