Fleming, Ian

8vo (189 x 127mm.), FIRST EDITION, first impression, first state, DEDICATION COPY INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR TO RICHARD HUGHES ("To | Dikko-san | from | Fleming-san. | With all affection") on the front endpaper, original black cloth lettered in silver and gilt (Gilbert's Binding A), bamboo-patterned endpapers, dust-jacket, collector's quarter black morocco solander box, slight offsetting to endpapers, some slight wear to jacket

Sale, Sotheby's London, 18 December 1985, lot 159

Gilbert A12a(1.1)

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, when appropriate. As noted, there is some browning to the free endpapers. The extremities are very slightly bumped.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

A fine presentation copy, inscribed to one of the dedicatees of the novel Richard ("Dikko") Hughes, the Sunday Times' ebullient, hard-drinking Far East Correspondent, whose job it was to accompany the author on his five-week Thrilling Cities tour. Hughes was an Australian ex-boxer, and also former part-time spy for MI6. Fleming's local guide in Tokyo was the Japanese journalist Toreo ("Tiger") Saito. Hughes and Saito were rewarded for their services by becoming the two dedicatees of Fleming's forthcoming Bond novel You Only Live Twice, and being immortalised as the characters Richard Lovelace "Dikko" Henderson (an Australian spy stationed in Japan) and Tiger Tanaka (head of the Japanese secret service) respectively. Henderson's favourite bar in the novel is Melody's, off the Ginza, where everyone calls him "Dikko" or "Dikko-san" (hence the reference in the presentation inscription). Hughes was also the model for Bill Craw in John le Carré's The Honourable Schoolboy.