From Russia with Love by Fleming, Ian - 1957

First edition, first impression (Heinemann, 1967). Illustrated by Janet and Anne Grahame-Johnstone. Signed, inscribed and dated by the author in the year of publication on the front blank: 'To Cicely Courtneidge, from Dodie Smith "Dear Octopus", Theatre Royal, Haymarket, 1967'. The inscription refers to Smith's play 'Dear Octopus', which was revived in 1967 for the fiftieth wedding anniversary of the comedy actors Dame Cicely Courtneidge and Jack Hubert. Dodie Smith's married name, 'Mrs Beesley', Dodie Smith's married name is also written in ink in another hand to the front flap of the dust jacket. Additionally a postcard from the author is loosely inserted: 'Dearest Cis, Here is "The Starlight Barking" as a tiny first night present. It's also intended as a get well present to your dear poodle - I trust you'll be able to use Bill's line and say "The dog liked it". Bless you and thank you for your lovable, funny and altogether admirable performance as "Dora". Much love as ever, Dodie". 8vo, publisher's… Read More

A complete set of the five books comprising The Avignon Quintet, all of which are first editions, first impressions and are either signed or signed and inscribed by the author. A little rubbing in places and a couple of small nicks to the dust jackets of the first two volumes. The remaining volumes are all fine in fine dust jackets. A near fine set overall with attractive jacket illustrations by David Gentleman.

First UK edition, first impression (Heinemann, 1937). Bound in full green morocco by the Cottage Bindery of Bath. Top edge gilt; raised bands with gilt compartments; gilt borders to upper and lower covers with a pictorial on-lay to the upper cover replicating the original illustration from the UK first edition dust jacket in colour. Housed in a blue cloth slipcase. A fine book with a little very light and isolated spotting to preliminaries. A beautiful example of a rare edition in an extremely attractive, well-executed and unique binding.

A complete set of first editions, first impressions.'Puzzle for the Secret Seven' has been signed by the author to an adhesive label bearing her photograph affixed to the reverse of the front endpaper.
All books and dust jackets are very good, or better than very good in some cases. 'The Secret Seven' has some spotting and dust jacket is price-clipped, as is the dust jacket of 'Good Work Secret Seven'. 'Well Done Secret Seven' and 'Fun for the Secret Seven' have gift inscriptions to the front paste-down and front endpaper verso respectively. The 'This Book Belongs to' label present on the half-title pages has been filled in in the cases of 'Secret Seven Mystery', 'Fun for the Secret Seven', and 'Puzzle for the Secret Seven'. 'Go Ahead Secret Seven' has an owner label to front endpaper and some brown tape reinforcement to edges of dust jacket verso.
A very good set indeed. Rare in such good condition as a complete set with the additional appeal of the author's signature to one of the volumes.

First edition, first issue (Macmillan & Co, 1863) with l'envoi leaf present, of which there were only believed to be around 200 copies. Housed in an attractive morocco drop-back box with raised bands, blue compartments, gilt lettering and marbled boards.
Original green cloth. Spine re-backed using most of the original, only lacking the tips and a small square hole just below the centre. Occasional light foxing and a little rubbing to covers. Hinges neatly reinforced. Free from names and inscriptions. A very good example of a very rare book.

First edition, first impression (Heinemann, 1967). Illustrated by Janet and Anne Grahame-Johnstone. Signed, inscribed and dated by the author in the year of publication on the front blank: 'To Cicely Courtneidge, from Dodie Smith "Dear Octopus", Theatre Royal, Haymarket, 1967'. The inscription refers to Smith's play 'Dear Octopus', which was revived in 1967 for the fiftieth wedding anniversary of the comedy actors Dame Cicely Courtneidge and Jack Hubert. Dodie Smith's married name, 'Mrs Beesley', Dodie Smith's married name is also written in ink in another hand to the front flap of the dust jacket. Additionally a postcard from the author is loosely inserted: 'Dearest Cis, Here is "The Starlight Barking" as a tiny first night present. It's also intended as a get well present to your dear poodle - I trust you'll be able to use Bill's line and say "The dog liked it". Bless you and thank you for your lovable, funny and altogether admirable performance as "Dora". Much love as ever, Dodie". 8vo, publisher's… Read More

A complete set of the five books comprising The Avignon Quintet, all of which are first editions, first impressions and are either signed or signed and inscribed by the author. A little rubbing in places and a couple of small nicks to the dust jackets of the first two volumes. The remaining volumes are all fine in fine dust jackets. A near fine set overall with attractive jacket illustrations by David Gentleman.

First edition, first impression with 'violent' for violet on p. 317, and no name on the street sign on the upper board. Illustrations by Sidney Paget. Some light spotting, floral endpapers, publisher's light blue cloth with gilt edges. Spine ends repaired with some of the often-seen rubbing and soiling to the boards and spine and previous owner's bookplate to front paste-down.

First UK edition, first impression (Heinemann, 1937). Bound in full green morocco by the Cottage Bindery of Bath. Top edge gilt; raised bands with gilt compartments; gilt borders to upper and lower covers with a pictorial on-lay to the upper cover replicating the original illustration from the UK first edition dust jacket in colour. Housed in a blue cloth slipcase. A fine book with a little very light and isolated spotting to preliminaries. A beautiful example of a rare edition in an extremely attractive, well-executed and unique binding.

A complete set of first editions, first impressions.'Puzzle for the Secret Seven' has been signed by the author to an adhesive label bearing her photograph affixed to the reverse of the front endpaper.
All books and dust jackets are very good, or better than very good in some cases. 'The Secret Seven' has some spotting and dust jacket is price-clipped, as is the dust jacket of 'Good Work Secret Seven'. 'Well Done Secret Seven' and 'Fun for the Secret Seven' have gift inscriptions to the front paste-down and front endpaper verso respectively. The 'This Book Belongs to' label present on the half-title pages has been filled in in the cases of 'Secret Seven Mystery', 'Fun for the Secret Seven', and 'Puzzle for the Secret Seven'. 'Go Ahead Secret Seven' has an owner label to front endpaper and some brown tape reinforcement to edges of dust jacket verso.
A very good set indeed. Rare in such good condition as a complete set with the additional appeal of the author's signature to one of the volumes.