First edition. Original black cloth with red heart vignette on upper cover and titles on the spine, in gun metal grey dustwrapper designed by the author. Author's presentation copy inscribed on publication to friend and fellow writer, Paul Gallico, "To Paul from Balzache / 1953." A near fine copy with a heavily foxed top edge and foxing to the preliminary leaves in a very good dustwrapper indeed, which is crisp and bright with just a trace of wear to the spine ends and a little dustiness to the rear panel.

A superb association copy of Fleming's first novel and the first appearance of James Bond. Gallico, already well established as a novelist and story writer, and Fleming met in the late 1940s when Fleming needed someone to write some articles on America in his capacity as foreign manager of Kemsley's Newpapers and the pair immediately formed a close friendship.
"Gallico was the sort of writer Fleming could get on with - genial, amused and ready to enter at once into that 'joking relationship' which Fleming liked to maintain with his close friends" - John Pearson (The Life of Ian Fleming)
Shortly before acceptance by Jonathan Cape, Fleming sent the typescript of Casino Royale to Gallico for comment. Gallico wrote back full of encouragement,
"The book is a knock-out. I thought I had written a couple of pretty fair torture scenes in my day, but yours beats everything I have ever read. Wow! It goes in for frankness and details far beyond any American-type thriller and could have a big sale... Get out of the office kid and write, because you can."
Gallico also wrote a helpful blurb for the the flap of the first American edition and contributed a long introduction to the Gilt Edged Bonds, the first James Bond omnibus published in 1961.
The soubriquet Balzache appears to be an in joke he shared with his closest friends. It has been suggested that it may be a literary play on the term "balls-ache", in reference to the torture scene which made such an impression on Gallico. Presentation copies of Casino Royale given to John Hayward and Robert Harling were also inscribed from Balzache.

Gilbert A1a(1.1)

Stock ID: 42199