Moonraker - Ian Lancaster Fleming 1955 - Jonathan Cape, London - First Edition, First impression, Second State ‘Bond is what every man would like to be and what every woman would like to have between her sheets.’ - Raymond Chandler on Moonraker.

First edition of the third James Bond title, arguably one of the best Bond novels.

This particular copy is from the library of British Army Office Leslie Nathanson, who served in North Africa, was captured in Libya by the German army in 1942, imprisoned in Italy and later escaped to cross through Northern Italy to safety in Switzerland. After the war Nathanson founded the law firm Nabarro LLP, and in 1956 purchased the beautiful Villa La Pietra [Boselli; “
house with the blue shutters”] in Levanto, on the coast of La Spezia, Italy. Nathanson’s wonderful bookplate shows the Villa in colour. Signed and dated ‘Feb, 1956’ by him in pencil.

Appropriately housed in a bespoke black cloth clamshell case, lined in scarlet red felt, the spine with gilt stamped lettering and space rocket logo.
  References: Gilbert, Ian Fleming - The Bibliography, A3a (1.2):- Book - First Impression (the second impression has ‘Second Impression’ on copyright page), second state with the ‘t’ in ‘shoot’ on the second last line of page 10 (this was missing and then corrected during the print run), binding in type A Fabroleen cloth (also issued in type B Linson cloth, no priority). Dust jacket - First Impression (the second impression added a Raymond Chandler quote and ‘press opinions’ notice to front flap, and ten reviews to the rear panel).

Published 7th April 1955, 9,600 copies.

Other references: Levante News, article 24th November, 2009. Monte San Martino Trust Archives. Eric Quayle
Detective Fiction. Firsts Vol 8 No4. Penzler Ian Fleming’s James Bond. Campbell Ian Fleming- A Catalogue of a Collection.

Octavo (book size 19.5x13.5cm), pp. 256. Publisher’s black cloth, lettered in silver to spine and front panel. Dust jacket designed by Kenneth Lewis and priced ‘10s. 6d. net’ to lower corners of front flap and rear flap, all corners with publisher’s decorative clipping with the exception of the lower corner of the rear flap, as issued.
  Condition: Near fine, toning and a few spots to edges, in very good gently toned dust jacket, fading of orange flames to spine, rubbing to corners and spine ends, minor soiling to rear panel.   Ref: 111225   Price: HK$ 72,000