1947. First edition thus. 257 pages. No dust jacket. Brown cloth covered boards. Allegedly, Ian Fleming used the author's name to christen his most famous character. With a coloured plate and line drawings by Earl Poole. Pages remain clear with minimal tanning and foxing, mild to end-papers and text-block edges. Plates are bright and clear. Small bookshop plate to front end-paper. Occasional pencil crosses to margins. Cracking to gutters, no damage to end papers. Some occasional mild cracking to gutters throughout. Binding is still reasonably firm. Boards have moderate edge-wear with bumping to corners and rubbing to surfaces. Mild crushing to spine ends with fraying and a small split at the head. Moderate damp stain to rear. Some dust dulling to the front board long edge. Moderate tanning to spine. Book has a slight forward lean.