Artunderwraps

First Edition Prices, Values and Auction Results

Ian Fleming On Her Majesty's Secret Service by Fleming is the tenth of the James Bond exploits. The Blofeld trilogy continues with this second book on Bond's pursuit of Ernst Stavro Blofeld, the leader of  SPECTRE, the infamous criminal organization. Bond's attraction for the femme fatales moves beyond his norm in this title, with Bond's brief marriage to Contessa Teresa "Tracy" di Vicenzo. Published in 1963 by Jonathan Cape (London), this title is a much desired treasure for book collectors. First editions of the limited edition of 250 copies in black cloth with signature have sold at auction from $2,000- $10,000 depending on condition.

We collected a sample of 30 auction results of Fleming, Ian's On Her Majesty's Secret Service from 3 different auction houses. The lowest overall price realized in our sample was $94 and the highest overall price realized was $12000. The overall average price was $2486 and the median price realized for the book was $436. There were 9 auctions (50%) with a price realized below the low estimate, 6 auctions (33%) exceeding the high estimates, and 3 auctions (17%) within the range of the low and high estimates. Auctions of interest include: a Bonhams sale on March 01, 2017 of a 1963 - Jonathan Cape edition for $9196 that Provenance: Gifted by to Francis Cory-Wright by Robin De La Lanne-Mirrlees; a Bonhams sale on March 19, 2014 of a 1963 - Jonathan Cape edition for $9196 that one of 250 copies signed by author; a Bonhams sale on November 12, 2013 of a 1963 - Jonathan Cape edition for $9196 that one of 250 copies signed by author; a Swann sale on April 08, 2010 of a 1963 - Jonathan Cape edition for $12000 that one of 250 copies signed by author; a PBA sale on August 23, 2007 of a 1963 - Jonathan Cape edition for $7200 that described as "entirely clean and seemingly unread";