"If one cannot enjoy reading a book over and over again, there is no use in reading it at all. "
— Oscar Wilde

London: Jonathan Cape, 1968. [Spy thriller] FIRST EDITION. Octavo (19 x 13cm), pp.255; [1], blank. Illustrated map endpapers, this copy, as most, with the 'North' arrow on the pastedown pointing directly up (True North), rather than at a slight angle (Magnetic North). The variant with a dropped quad mark to the date on the copyright page (rather in the same manner as 'The Spy Who Loved Me' variant - see Gilbert). Publisher's hardcovers in dust-wrapper by Tom Adams. A few very light marks only. An unquestionably fine, fresh copy. Truly outstanding. The first post-Fleming James Bond novel, written under a pseudonym by Kingsley Amis, who had edited Fleming's final 007 story in 1965. Item #58829
Gilbert-Schøyen [278].
Price: £395.00