Great Britain, 2008, 1st. 14 (3/4) x 14 (1/4). multicoloured

Catalogues:
Michel: 2599, block 42
Scott: 2531, SS 2536a
Stanley Gibbons: 2797, MS2803
Yvert et Tellier: 2965, block 53

Bond’s first adventure (published 1953) pitted him against the ruthless SMERSH (Death to Spies Russian counter intelligence) paymaster Le Chiffre across the gaming table of Royale-les-Eaux. The original Jonathan Cape edition pictured here had a dust jacket designed by Fleming himself. Pan edition, artist unknown; Jove edition, illustration by Barnett Plotkin; Penguin edition cover design by Roseanne Serra and Richie Fahey.

Plots: Fleming Ian