From Russia, With Love. by FLEMING, Ian - 1957

1957. London: Jonathan Cape, 1957. Crown 8vo., original black cloth, lettered in silver and red to spine and with gun and rose motif in black and red to upper cover; unclipped classic Richard Chopping dustwrapper; pp. 253, [iii]; a little spotting to wrapper with discreet repairs to reverse, edges a little spotted, otherwise very good. First edition. Fifth novel by Fleming, written in 1956 at his Goldeneye estate in Jamaica. At the time he thought it might be his final Bond book but he went on to publish another 9 novels, ending with Octopussy in 1966. The story was serialised in The Daily Express newspaper, first in an abridged, multi-part form and then as a comic strip. In 1963 it was adapted into the second film in the Bond series, starring Sean Connery. Much is made of the revolver motif on the dustwrapper and upper board. We are told: "The revolver is a Smith & Wesson Military and Police model in .38 S. & W. calibre. Barrel cut to 2 3/4 in., stock modified and front trigger guard removed to facilitate use as a close-combat holster weapon…" (Jacket). The gun was the property of Geoffrey Boothroyd, a British firearms expert who, after criticising Fleming's choice of guns in Casino Royale, went on to become his advisor and, ultimately, the inspiration for the character of Q.