FLEMING, Ian; Angus Wilson; Edith Sitwell; Cyril Connolly; Patrick Leigh Fermor; Evelyn Waugh; Christopher Sykes; W.H. Auden [Larry Hughes].

The Seven Deadly Sins.

First Edition of The Seven Deadly Sins; Inscribed by Ian Fleming

New York: William Morrow and Company, 1962.

$8,800.00

In Stock Item Number: RRB-149775

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First edition of this anthology introduced by Ian Fleming. Octavo, bound in three quarters green morocco over green cloth covered boards with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, top edge gilt, marbled endpapers, title page vignette, illustrated decorations for each chapter. Presentation copy, inscribed by Ian Fleming to Margaret Hughes on the second free endpaper, "To Mrs John Hughes Whose son Larry Is certainly innocent of all of them! from Ian Fleming." Additionally signed by Larry Hughes beneath Fleming's inscription. The recipient, Margaret Hughes, is the mother of Larry Hughes, President of the publishing company William Morrow (and son-in-law of Hugo Pitman, Fleming's lifelong friend). From the collection of Larry Hughes with a small circular orange sticker at bottom of the rear panel, applied by Hughes denoting importance. In near fine condition. Special foreword by Ian Fleming. Introduction by Raymond Mortimer. We have never seen another example signed and inscribed by Fleming.

The Seven Deadly Sins (New York: William Morrow and Company, 1962) is a distinguished mid-century anthology conceived and introduced by Ian Fleming, who commissioned leading British writers to produce literary essays on each of the traditional vices. The volume gathers contributions by W. H. Auden (Anger), Cyril Connolly (Covetousness), Patrick Leigh Fermor (Gluttony), Edith Sitwell (Pride), Christopher Sykes (Lust), Evelyn Waugh (Sloth), and Angus Wilson (Envy). Originating in essays first published in The Sunday Times and then issued together for an international readership, the book turns a medieval moral framework into a lively postwar exploration of human behavior and cultural change.