Thunderball. By Ian Fleming. First Edition, First Printing. Jonathan Cape. London, 1961.

British author Ian Fleming produced the most popular spy of all time: James Bond. The series saw over a dozen installments by Fleming and many more by commissioned authors after his death. The James Bond series has also been adapted to film numerous times. It is one of the most successful and longest running book-to-film franchises ever. Thunderball marks a highpoint in the franchise. It was a major bestseller and a critically praised installment. Unlike Fleming’s other Bond novels, Thunderball was adapted from a co-written screenplay. After some legal disputes, subsequent editions gave co-authors Kevin McClory and Jack Whittingham their due credits. Yet in this first edition, Fleming is listed as the sole author. In 1965, the work was adapted to film, starring Sean Connery as James Bond. The film was a major blockbuster even by Bond film standards. It remains a favorite among readers and viewers of the series–a classic of spy fiction.

This first edition, first printing is in fine condition. In the original cloth, fine. Text block fine. In the original dust jacket, very nearly fine with only minor fading to spine and minor crease to head of spine.

A fine first edition of Thunderball.