Collecting James Bond first editions: A Buyers Guide.
James Bond, the iconic spy created by Ian Fleming, has captured the imagination of readers for decades. As a result, collecting first edition Ian Fleming books featuring James Bond has become a highly sought-after pursuit for book collectors. The series includes 14 titles, each with varying degrees of rarity and value. Some of the books, such as the first edition of 'Casino Royale' or 'Moonraker' are some of the most sought after in collecting and as such command high prices, attracting investors, while later books in the series such as 'Octopussy' are more affordable for those just starting their collection.One of the most striking features of these books is their dust jackets, of which many were designed by renowned artist, Richard Chopping. These dust jackets are considered works of art in their own right and greatly increase the value of a first edition.
In addition to their monetary value, James Bond books hold a significant cultural importance. The first editions have been adapted into one of the most succesful and longest running film franchises of all time. Bond has influenced everything from fashion to technology and has become an icon of pop culture.
Collecting these first edition books is not just an amazing investment, but also a way to own a piece of literary and cultural history.
Below I explore all of the first editions that make up the James Bond Collection, exploring how to identify them, the first issue points and also what value they hold.
Casino Royale
One of the most collectible first editions, Casino Royale is key to many a collection and as the first book in the James Bond series, it is one of most in demand. Interestingly the dustjacket was designed by Ian Fleming himself.
A classic of the genre, in Casino Royale, Bond is sent to the French Riviera to confront the sinister Le Chiffre and stop him from winning a high-stakes baccarat game...
Casino Royale first edition points:
4,728 copies of the first impression were printed, although no more than 3000 were issued in the first state dustwrapper, the remainder having a favourable Sunday Times review overprinted on the front flap. To have a first edition, first impression of the text with a first issue of the dustjacket is a notorious rarity and a strong investment piece.
The book is published by Jonathan Cape and the copyright page will list the year of publication as 1953.
Casino Royale Price guide:
At the time of writing (early 2023), prices range between £30k - £40k in very good to near fine condition.
Fine examples currently go for between £50k - 60k.
Signed examples are exceedingly rare and go for between £90k - £120k+.
Live and Let Die
The second book in the James Bond series in which Fleming continues the development of the character of Bond and the novel finds the spy investigating a series of bizarre deaths in the Caribbean. Bond eventually discovers that the mastermind behind the deaths is a powerful American gangster known as Mr. Big, who is using voodoo magic to control the residents of Harlem.
Rather interestingly, this was the first of Fleming's books to be banned (Ireland: the voodoo themes were frowned upon!).
Live and Let Die first edition points:
The first issue of the dustjacket doesn’t feature the design credit slug to the front flap. The earliest dust jackets issued made no mention of the jacket artist, Kenneth Lewis, and at some point the need was recognised to credit his work. A stamp was made and as a stopgap existing jackets were overstamped beneath the blurb on the front flap. Copies without this stamp are incredibly rare.
The book is published by Jonathan Cape in London and the copyright page will list the year of publication as 1954
Live and Let Die price guide:
At the time of writing (early 2023), prices range from around £25k in fine condition (in the first issue dustjacket) down to around £15k- 20k in very good to near fine.
Signed examples are notoriously scarce of this particular title and go for between £50k - £70k.
Moonraker
Considered by many to be Fleming's finest book, the first edition of Moonraker is highly sought after on the market and copies of the first issue are notoriously rare.
The novel follows Bond as he is sent to investigate the disappearance of a British Moonraker missile, which has been hijacked by a wealthy industrialist with ties to the British government. Through a series of twists and turns, Bond uncovers a larger plot to destroy Britain from within and must stop the villains before it is too late.
Moonraker first edition points:
Moonraker price guide:
At the time of writing (early 2023), first state examples range from around £20k - £30k in fine condition down to between £10k - £20k in very good to near fine.
Signed examples are notoriously scarce of this particular title and go for between £50k - £60k.
Diamonds are Forever
One of the most beautiful dustjackets in the James Bond collection and this book dealers personal favourtite. Diamonds are Forever is the fourth title in the Bond series and contains the first mention of 'Spectre' which in later books would morph into the organisation of Bond's great nemesis, Ernst Stavro Blofeld.
The jacket design depicts Bond's love interest and a major player in the book, Tiffany Case; designer Pat Marriott would follow a similar formula later in depicting the love interest, Honeychile Rider, on the jacket of DR. NO.
Diamonds are Forever first edition points:
Page 25, Line 1: 'It had do to with'. Page 75, line 9: 'tie a shoelece'.
In the first impression on page 134, lines 25-26: 'His friends call him "Boffy"'. In the second impression that was updated to Duffy. Fleming liked to add his frends names or nickames onto characters and in this instance a friend objected.
The book is published by Jonathan Cape in London and the copyright page will list the year of publication as 1956.
Diamonds are Forever price guide:
At the time of writing (early 2023), first edition, first impression examples range from around £8k - £12k in fine condition down to between £4k - £8k in very good to near fine.
Signed examples are notoriously scarce of this particular title and go for between £40k - £50k.
From Russia with Love
From Russia with Love first edition points:
Page 18, Line 1: 'the sexuality' for 'the asexuality'. Page 136, line 8: 'ice twinkled' for 'ice tinkled'.
The book is published by Jonathan Cape and the copyright page will list the year of publication as 1957.
From Russia with Love price guide:
At the time of writing (early 2023), first edition, first impression examples range from around £4k - £6k + in fine condition down to between £3k - £4k in very good to near fine.
Signed examples are notoriously scarce of this particular title and go for between £30k - £70k +
Dr. NO
Despite being the fifth title, this was the first to be made into a film and is the start of one of the greatest cinematic franchies. Dr. NO really is the start of Bond-mania and for many collectors this is the book they seek above all else.
The story follows James Bond as he is sent to Jamaica to investigate the disappearance of a fellow agent. Bond soon discovers that the agent was murdered and that a mysterious scientist named Dr. No is behind the crime. Bond sets out to stop Dr. No and his plans to sabotage an American space launch.
Dr. NO first edition points:
There are two states of the binding, the first with plain boards, the second has the 'Honeychile' silhouette in brown, (the same design as that of the dustjacket designed by Pat Marriot). Despite being the second state, collectors often are far more interested in the 'dancing girl' silhouette. The first state is significantly rarer however.Dr. NO price guide:
At the time of writing (early 2023), prices range between £3k - £6k for fine examples.
£2k - £3k for very good to near-fine.
Signed examples are rare and go for between £10k - £20k +.
Goldfinger
Ian Fleming's Goldfinger introduced the world to one of the most memorable Bond villains in Auric Goldfinger...
The fim that was released in 1964, was the third film in the James Bond franchise and one of the most iconic. Directed by Guy Hamilton and starring Sean Connery as Bond, the film closely follows the events of the novel, but includes some changes and additions to the plot.
The film is considered one of the best Bond films and introduced several elements that have become hallmarks of the Bond franchise.
Goldfinger first edition points:
The first issue of dustjacket designed by long time Fleming collaborator Richard Chipping, features a nineteen-line blurb to the front flap which is replaced with reviews in the second issue.
The first edition of Goldfinger is published by Jonathan Cape and the copyright page will state Gildrose Productions Ltd and list the year of publication as 1959.
Goldfinger price guide:
At the time of writing (early 2023), prices for fine examples range between £3k - £6k
Very good to near-fine range betwem £2k - £3k.
As always signed examples are rare and go for between £20k - £50k +
For Your Eyes Only
For Your Eyes Only is Ian Fleming's first collection of James Bond short stories, which includes 'From a View To a Kill', 'Quantum of Solace', 'Risico', and 'The Hildebrand Rarity'.
A noted dustjacket in that it has "the only British dust jacket with any depiction of Bond: the eye in the peephole is his. Fleming made artist Richard Chopping paint it many times, until he was satisfied with the shape and, particularly, the color" (Biondi & Pickard, 46).
For Your Eyes Only first edition points:
The first edition of For Your Eyes Only is published by Jonathan Cape and the copyright page will state Gildrose Productions Ltd and list the year of publication as 1960.
For Your Eyes Only price guide:
At the time of writing (early 2023), prices for fine examples range between £3k - £5k
Very good to near-fine range betwem £1k - £3k.
As always with Ian Fleming, signed examples are rare and go for between £10k - £30k +
Thunderball
Thunderball first edition points:
The first issue of the Richard Chopping designed dustjacket will have the price listed as 15s. net. Second issue dustjackets have a publishers adhesive label covering this original price and is updated to 16s. net. The rear flap will also feature a spelling mistake: 'Sidney' for 'Sydney'.
The first binding (binding A) will have the titles in gilt rather than silver (binding B).
The first edition of Thunderball is published by Jonathan Cape and the copyright page will state Gildrose Productions Ltd and list the year of publication as 1961.
Thunderball price guide:
At the time of writing (early 2023), prices for fine examples range between £3k - £5k
Very good to near-fine range between £1k - £3k.
As always with Ian Fleming, signed examples are rare and go for between £10k - £30k +
The Spy Who Loved Me
The Spy Who Loved Me first edition points:
The first edition of The Spy Who Loved Me is published by Jonathan Cape and the copyright page will state Gildrose Productions Ltd and list the year of publication as 1962.
The Spy Who Loved Me price guide:
At the time of writing (early 2023), prices for fine examples range between £2k - £3k
Very good to near-fine range between £1k - £2k.
As always with Ian Fleming, signed examples are rare and go for between £15k - £25k +
On Her Majestys Secret Service
On Her Majestys Secret Service limited edition points:
Signed by Ian Fleming to the limitation page and numbered out of 250 examples (a further 35 were published and marked as presentation).
Bound in quarter vellum over black boards and with the rare publisher's original clear glassine dustjacket.
On Her Majestys Secret Service limited edition price guide:
At the time of writing (early 2023), prices for fine examples range between £15k - £20k
On Her Majestys Secret Service
On Her Majestys Secret Service first edition points:
Spelling error on page 41, line 6: 'four' for 'forty'. This is corrected by the second impression.On Her Majestys Secret Service first edition price guide:
At the time of writing (early 2023), prices for fine examples range between £1k - £2k
Very good to near-fine examples range between £500 - £1k
Signed examples of the first edition are rarer than the signed limited edition and range between £20k to £40k.
You Only Live Twice
You Only Live Twice first edition points:
There are two states of the first edition. On the copyright page of the first state, you'll find ‘First published 1964’; with second state examples you'll find ‘First published March 1964’. Interestingly the second state is actually scarcer, however, the first state is still the preferred state to the collector.You Only Live Twice first edition price guide:
At the time of writing (early 2023), prices for fine examples range between £1k - £2k
Very good to near-fine examples range between £500 - £1k
Signed examples range between £15k to £30k.
The Man with the Golden Gun
The Man with the Golden Gun first edition points:
The scarcest recognised discreet state of any James Bond book, the first state of the binding has a golden gun design in gilt to the front board. This is a notorious rarity on the market as only 940 copies were published in this binding. The binding was abandoned after 940 copies in favour of plain boards as the cost of the gilt gun was deemed far too expensive on such a large print run (82,000 copies).
The Man with the Golden Gun first edition price guide:
At the time of writing (early 2023), prices for fine examples in this first state binding range between £10k - £15k
Very good to near-fine examples range between £7k - £10k.
Fine first editions in second state bindings go for around £800 - £1k.
Octopussy and The Living Daylights
Octopussy and The Living Daylights first edition points:
The first state dustjacket will be priced on jacket flap, 10s 6d net. Second state dustjackets having an adjusted price sticker (16s) over this.Octopussy and The Living Daylights first edition price guide:
At the time of writing (early 2023), prices for fine examples range between £500 - £800.
Very good to near-fine examples range between £200 - £500.
