Thrilling Cities, [inscribed by Fleming to fromer spy]

FROM ONE SPY TO ANOTHER. Fleming, Ian. Thrilling Cities, [association copy, inscribed by Fleming to a former spy]. London: Jonathan Cape, [1963]. First edition, first printing. Inscribed and signed on title-page by the author to Fleming’s personal friend and American spy, David Bruce: “Dave/To keep your mind/off your work!/Ian”. Publisher’s white cloth backed gray boards with gilt spine titles, black top stain, original unclipped dust jacket. 8vo. David Bruce’s personal bookplate from his home in the U.S. (“Staunton Hill”) affixed to ffep verso. Light pale spotting to top margins in center quire; a fine copy with an exceptional association. Provenance: from the library of David Bruce. David Bruce (1898–1977) an American diplomat and intelligence officer, was best known for heading the Europe branch of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), a precursor to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) which was a London based espionage agency, conducting activities for the United States Armed Forces branches. As a personal friend to Ian Fleming, Bruce would see the James Bond films as soon as they appeared beginning with the premiere of ‘Dr. No’ and the preview of the film ‘From Russia with Love.