Ian Fleming - The Man with the Golden Gun - 1965-1965

THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN (1965) - IAN FLEMINGJONATHAN CAPE - FIRST EDITION - SPECIAL HYBRID STATESPANISHTechnical Analysis and Justification of Bibliographic Rarity
The present report details the exceptional characteristics and printing anomalies that converge in this copy of the author’s posthumous first edition of "The Man with the Golden Gun" (Ian Fleming, Jonathan Cape, London, 1965). The particularities of this volume set it apart from the common commercial run, placing it at the highest level of international James Bond 007 collecting.
Hybrid White Endpapers Variant (Restricted Batch of 3,200 Units):
During the binding of the first impression of the text sheets, the publisher Jonathan Cape suffered a temporary stock shortage of the standard green jaspe pattern paper. To bridge the production interruption, an ultra-restricted batch of approximately 3,200 units was bound using plain white endpapers in combination with black cloth boards. This interior hybrid anomaly makes this variant one of the rarest, best-documented, and most elusive variants across the author’s posthumous bibliography.
First-State Dust Jacket: The Proofs Cylinder Alignment (Uncorrected Proofs):
The dust jacket of this copy faithfully preserves the graphic pattern and scale of the initial 1% batch, corresponding to Richard Chopping’s original early proofs design. In this primary composition, the illustration of the Colt .45 revolver pushes the cylinder to the left, invading the crease and visibly entering the spine area. When expanding the design for the remaining 99% of the mass-run (second state), the publisher readjusted the scale and moved the pistol to the right to center it on the cover and clean the spine. This paper jacket preserves the margins of the finest copies.
Complete Survival Against Export Clipping (NAAFI):
Historically, the vast majority of copies of this initial run were destined for direct export to service at overseas bases, garrisons, and British Army canteens via the NAAFI (Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes). By customs and tax regulations, the publisher mechanically clipped the corner of the front flap at source. This copy is one of the exceedingly rare survivors that eluded institutional clipping, keeping its front flap fully pristine and unclipped with the original price printed as "18s net," ensuring total bibliographical integrity of the piece.