Goldfinger
Chopping, Richard. Hard Cover. London: Jonathan Cape, 1959. First Edition. Fine / Dust Jacket Included.
First edition, first impression, first issue, second state (lacking the 3mm diagonal line detail in the upper left area of the skull stamped to the front board). Original publisher's black cloth stamped in blind to front board with a line drawing of a human skull with fifty-dollar gold pieces to each eye socket, lettered in gilt to spine; in the original pictorial dust jacket designed by Richard Chopping with illustration of a human skull with gold coins in the eye sockets and a single red rose held between its teeth. Near fine book, with a hint of rubbing to foot of spine, and light spotting to endpapers and text block edges; very good unclipped dust jacket, with light toning to spine and flap folds, a touch of spotting to top of front panel, light wear and a hint of chipping to spine ends, light rubbing to folds, and lightly nicked corners. Overall, an attractive and bright copy. Gilbert A7a (1.2). Goldfinger features the villain Auric Goldfinger, the richest man in England whose wealth is stored in his namesake mineral, gold. Indeed, the symbol of gold plays an important role throughout the text; the name "Auric" comes from the chemical element symbol for gold "Au," and Goldfinger murders his ex-girlfriend by covering her body completely in gold. In this novel, Bond must stop Goldfinger from completing Operation Grand Slam, a gold-smuggling plot that would cripple the world economy and give the Russian spy organization SMERSH total power over the West. Goldfinger also introduces one of the most memorable villainous sidekicks, Oddjob, whose deadly aim and razor-edged bowler hat make him a force to be reckoned with.
Item #IF188
Price: $1,500.00
