Artunderwraps

First Edition Prices, Values and Auction Results

British writer Ian Fleming (in the build-up of the Blofeld trilogy) finally allows spy James Bond to execute his revenge on villain Ernst Stavo Blofeld in his third novel of the series You Only Live Twice. It begins with Bond in a dark emotional state still reeling from the untimely death of his bride, and later takes him to Japan on a mission of diplomacy where he faces Biofeld, his formidable nemesis. This was the last book to be published during Fleming's lifetime. Jonathan Cape (London) first published the work in 1964 with cover design by Richard Chopping. Copies with crisp dust jacket and Fleming's signature  have sold at prices up to $7500 at auction, with unsigned copies of the first printing going for a mere $700 or so.

We collected a sample of 22 auction results of Fleming, Ian's You Only Live Twice from 3 different auction houses. The lowest overall price realized in our sample was $31 and the highest overall price realized was $7500. The overall average price was $605 and the median price realized for the book was $222. There were 8 auctions (42%) with a price realized below the low estimate, 3 auctions (16%) exceeding the high estimates, and 8 auctions (42%) within the range of the low and high estimates. Auctions of interest include: a Swann sale on May 18, 2016 of a 1964 - Jonathan Cape edition for $7500 that with an inscription from author; a Swann sale on April 08, 2010 of a 1964 - Jonathan Cape edition for $660 that first issue;