On Her Majesty’s Secret Service – An Early Reprint

Author: Ian Fleming
Price: £200
Publisher: Jonathan Cape, London, UK
Edition: First edition, 5th Impression
Publication Date: 1963
Format: Original cloth gilt. Dustwrapper
Condition: Near fine in very good plus dustwrapper
Pages: 288

Description:

The eleventh title in the series. Binding square and firm. Text block slightly spotted. Spine and front board gilt very bright. Cloth very clean. A very near fine, tight, clean copy in very good plus, slightly nicked, spotted and rubbed dustwrapper which has only the smallest amount of fading to the spine and retains its original price of 16s net and is identical to that of the first edition.

On Her Majesty’s Secret Service: A Short Description

Ian Fleming’s On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, first published in 1963, is the eleventh novel in the James Bond series. It forms the central part of the so-called “Blofeld Trilogy” and follows directly from the events of Thunderball. The novel sees Bond on a more personal and emotionally complex mission than many of his earlier assignments, deepening the character and expanding the moral scope of the series.

Opening and Setup

As the novel opens, James Bond is in a period of professional and personal stagnation. Frustrated by MI6’s lack of progress in locating Ernst Stavro Blofeld—the head of the global criminal organisation SPECTRE—Bond considers resigning from the Secret Service. He is on a self-appointed reconnaissance along the French Riviera when he prevents a young woman from taking her own life. The woman is Contessa Teresa “Tracy” di Vicenzo, a beautiful, spirited, and troubled figure. Bond’s rescue of her leads him into contact with her father, Marc-Ange Draco, head of the Unione Corse, a powerful Corsican crime syndicate.

Draco, impressed by Bond’s character and reputation, proposes that Bond marry his daughter, believing it will help stabilise her emotionally. Bond refuses the idea of marriage at first but agrees to continue seeing Tracy. In return, Draco offers Bond information about Blofeld’s whereabouts, revealing that he is hiding in Switzerland.

The Piz Gloria Mission

With new intelligence in hand, Bond resumes active duty and traces Blofeld to a mountaintop facility known as Piz Gloria in the Swiss Alps. Blofeld has rebranded himself as a benign scientific figure, presenting himself to the College of Arms under the alias “Count Balthazar de Bleuville”. He claims aristocratic lineage and seeks official recognition of his title.

Bond, under the guise of a heraldic expert named Sir Hilary Bray, infiltrates Piz Gloria. There, he discovers that Blofeld has not only adopted a new identity but is developing a sinister biological plot. Posing as a benefactor to a group of young women undergoing “allergy treatments,” Blofeld is, in reality, brainwashing these women—dubbed the “Angels of Death”—to distribute bacteriological agents around the globe. His aim is to blackmail the United Nations into recognising his nobility and granting him amnesty.

Escape and Alliance

Bond’s cover is eventually blown, leading to a harrowing escape through deep snow and mountainous terrain. During his flight, he unexpectedly reunites with Tracy, who helps him elude capture. Their shared ordeal brings them closer, and Bond finds himself falling in love—deeply and sincerely—for the first time in his life.

After escaping, Bond returns to London and outlines the threat posed by Blofeld’s biological warfare plan. However, British authorities are hesitant to mount a full-scale operation on Swiss soil. Instead, Bond turns to Draco for help. With Draco’s men, he stages a private assault on Piz Gloria.

The Assault and Aftermath

The raid on Piz Gloria is dramatic and destructive. Blofeld manages to escape yet again, though his fortress is destroyed and the Angels of Death are neutralised. In the aftermath, Bond and Tracy marry in Portugal, marking a significant personal shift for the secret agent.

Yet the happiness is tragically short-lived. As the newlyweds depart for their honeymoon, Blofeld—now fuelled by vengeance—ambushes them in a drive-by shooting. Bond survives, but Tracy is killed instantly. The novel ends on a sombre note, with Bond cradling his wife’s body, speaking gently to her as if she were still alive.

Conclusion

On Her Majesty’s Secret Service is one of the most emotionally resonant novels in the James Bond canon. While it features the usual intrigue, action, and glamour, it also explores themes of love, loss, identity, and sacrifice. It marks a significant evolution in Bond’s character, showing him not merely as a cold operative but as a man capable of deep emotional commitment—and devastating grief. This complexity adds depth to Fleming’s work and remains a high point in the series.

Ian Fleming: A Short Biography

Why buy from us?

At Hornseys, we are committed to offering items that meet the highest standards of quality and authenticity. Our book collection is meticulously curated to ensure that each edition is a valuable and authentic piece of bibliographical history. Here’s what sets us apart:

• Authenticity and Provenance: Every book is researched, collated, and verified for authenticity.
• Expert Curation: Each book is selected with a keen eye for significance, condition, and rarity, ensuring a collection that is both diverse and distinguished.
• Customer Satisfaction: We strive to provide an exceptional customer experience, from detailed descriptions and provenance to secure and prompt delivery of your purchase.
• Returns Policy: We offer an unconditional guarantee on every item. If you wish to make a return, books may be sent back to us within fourteen days of receipt for any reason. We request advance notification of returns, and books must be returned in the same condition as sent for a full refund.

Explore Our Collection:
Visit Hornseys to explore our fine collection of rare and signed books. Whether you are an avid collector or looking for a special gift, our selection offers something truly unique. Located in the picturesque Yorkshire Dales, our Ripon gallery has been a haven for book lovers, art enthusiasts, and collectors since 1976.