Beschreibung:

Fleming, Ian. GOLDFINGER. JONATHAN CAPE, 1959 8vo, first edition, the dedication copy, inscribed by fleming to his friend william plomer ("To | William | This oak tree from | that acorn! | Affectionately | Ian "), original black cloth with skull design in blind on upper cover with eyes in gilt, spine lettered in gilt, dust-jacket designed by Richard Chopping the dedication copy, inscribed to the friend without whom the james bond novels might never have been published. The dedication leaf reads "To | my gentle Reader | William Plomer". The South African-born poet and novelist William Plomer (1903-73, author of Turbott Wolfe), who is now generally considered without peer in the second half of the twentieth century as a discoverer of new talent in others, edited a number of the Bond novels, working as literary advisor to Cape (who published them), as well as literary editor for Faber and Faber. it was owing to plomer's encouragement during the war, when both men were serving in naval intelligence, that fleming wrote his first 'james bond' novel. Upon seeing the manuscript in 1952 Plomer immediately recognised its potential, and he persuaded Cape to publish it, despite the publisher's dislike of thrillers. Plomer subsequently read each of the Bond novels, often suggesting improvements and changes. His only financial reward was the sum of £500 which Fleming left him when he died, with the stipulation that Plomer "commit some extravagance with it". Plomer gave the address at Fleming's memorial service. "...Plomer was one of the few people with whom Ian could always relax..." (Andrew Lycett, Ian Fleming