Enigma: The Battle for the Code — Sebag-Montefiore, Folio 2005

🧩 A riveting account of the Allied intelligence triumph at Bletchley Park. This 2005 Folio Society first edition of Enigma: The Battle for the Code by Hugh Sebag-Montefiore marries meticulous archival research with a striking, modernist design.

Quick Facts:

• Author: Hugh Sebag-Montefiore
• Publisher: The Folio Society, London
• Year: 2005 (First Edition)
• Format: Hardcover with original black slipcase
• Page Count: 455 pages
• Binding: Blocked cloth by Hunter & Foulis
• Paper: Caxton Wove paper
• Typeface: Plantin

The Work
In Enigma: The Battle for the Code, Hugh Sebag-Montefiore provides an authoritative narrative of the high-stakes cryptographic war fought during World War II. The book chronicles the strategic brilliance and sheer persistence of the code-breakers at Bletchley Park, detailing the harrowing naval captures of German cipher machines and the mathematical genius required to crack the Enigma code. From the initial breakthroughs in Poland to the pivotal intelligence that shifted the tide of the Battle of the Atlantic, this work is essential for students of military history, cryptology, and wartime espionage.

The Folio Edition
This 2005 first printing is a masterpiece of bibliophilic design. The volume is bound in full grey cloth, blocked with a minimalist grid of circular letter tiles in black and red, mirroring the layout of a typewriter keyboard. The red tiles specifically highlight the letters E, I, G, M, and A. Printed on archival Caxton Wove paper using the classic Plantin typeface, the edition includes a wealth of black-and-white archival photographic plates and technical diagrams of the Enigma machines. It is housed in a sturdy, original black slipcase.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the Folio Society edition unique?
Unlike standard trade editions, the Folio Society version is produced as a collector’s item, featuring a tailored aesthetic inspired by the Enigma keyboard and superior materials including Caxton Wove paper and professional binding by Hunter & Foulis.

Is this a first edition?
Yes, this is the first Folio Society edition and first printing, published in London in 2005.

For Collectors
This copy is in Collector’s Grade condition, appearing virtually unread with brilliant white pages. For the serious bibliophile, the combination of the Folio Society’s museum-grade production and the historical significance of the subject matter makes this a cornerstone acquisition for any library specializing in 20th-century intelligence and military history.

#### **Condition Report**
* **Overall Grade:** Book: Near Fine (NF)/Fine (F) // Slipcase: Very Good+ (VG+)/Near Fine (NF)
* **Cover & Spine:** Full grey cloth blocked with typewriter/rotary key motifs is crisp, clean, and vibrant. Corners are sharp. Sturdy black slipcase shows only faint superficial shelf rubbing.
* **Dust Jacket:** Issued without dust jacket; original publisher’s slipcase present.
* **Text Block & Pages:** Pages are brilliant white, clean, and unread; complete with all glossy black-and-white photographic plates and diagrams. Block edge are bright and clean all around; one very small, faint speck on block outer edge toward back.
* **Binding:** Square, firm, and tight; appears unread.
—

See accompanying images for full condition details. Will ship promptly, carefully packaged.

HFB-SEO-v1: 2026-10-20

Shelf: B1-5

1 in stock