Available Copies from Independent Booksellers
Price: US$224.57 + shipping
Description: [Journal] Pp.24. Price 6d. Magazine format, illustrated. Staples rusted, two small ink 'x' marks to final page of ads. Near fine. This issue contains a portrait sketch of Ian Fleming (p.8) as used on the jacket of Casino Royale, also features an advert for the debut James Bond novel on the rear cover. Gilbert A1a 'Advertising', p.24.
Seller: Adrian Harrington Ltd, PBFA, ABA, ILAB, Royal Tunbridge Wells, KENT, United Kingdom
Price: US$350.00 + shipping
Description: 1st Edition Clamshell Collecor's Case. No Binding. First Edition Clamshell Case. Fleming, Ian. CASINO ROYALE. Custom Clamshell Case Only. London, [1953, Book Date]: Jonathan Cape, 1953. First Edition Clamshell Case. Excellent Custom Clamshell Case [Not A Book] for The First Edition. Elegant Black & Medium Grey Nuba®, Custom Gilt-Stamped at the spine. Embossed multi-layered, [sculpted] multi-heart design on the side. Finished in red velour on the interior. A superb & unique protective clamshell case for the first edition of Fleming's great first 007 novel. This case available in cloth or Nuba®. [A fine leather version also available. Please inquire about cost.] All 14 Fleming titles available individually. Full sets available.
Seller: TBCL The Book Collector's Library, Montreal, QC, Canada
Fleming, Ian. Casino Royale. Jonathan Cape, London, 1953.
Price: US$2245.71 + shipping
Condition: Good
Description: First edition, second impression, no dust jacket, black boards lightly rubbed, very light edgewear to spine ends, red lettering to spine, small ink inscription to head of fep, light spotting to endpapers, closed edges, title page and to the edges of some pages, pp clean, text clear to read, binding firm. Size: 12mo
Seller: Bookcase, Carlisle, United Kingdom
Fleming, ian. Casino Royale. Jonathan Cape (London), 1953.
Price: US$2500.00 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: Jonathan Cape (London) 1953 First British Edition, Fourth Printing and First Re-issued Edition done in 1957. VERY GOOD + in black boards with titles and heart decoration in red (slight lean, small previous owner name, small tear in the gutter in the front end page, light foxing to the page blocks) in a VERY GOOD correct fourth printing jacket (light rubbing to the corners, slight toning, price clipped). A nice copy of the first re-issued edition with the new jacket artwork.
Seller: Chris Grobel, Arlington, TX, U.S.A.
FLEMING, Ian Lancaster (1908-1964). Casino Royale. London: Jonathan Cape, 1953, 1953.
Price: US$2887.35 + shipping
Description: [Spy thriller] FIRST EDITION, Second Impression, bibliographer's copy. Octavo (20 x 13cm), pp.218; [2], blank. Publisher's black cloth-effect paper over boards, decorated with heart motif to upper, lettered in red to spine, lower edge untrimmed, housed in a leather-spined clamshell box. A working copy showing much use and associated handling, some copy editing and marking, soiling to lower portion of some leaves, browning to edges of text block, recased in publisher's boards, secondary title has been washed (presumably when recased). Text is complete. Provided with a later plain brown paper jacket with printed labels, made for ready-reference purposes. Jon Gilbert's file copy, with his pencilled notes, bookplate and ownership signature. His comprehensive guide to the works of Ian Fleming (2012) won the 16th Breslauer Prize for bibliography. The novel which introduced the world to British secret agent James Bond 007. Gilbert, Jon. Ian Fleming: The Bibliography A1a (2).
Seller: Adrian Harrington Ltd, PBFA, ABA, ILAB, Royal Tunbridge Wells, KENT, United Kingdom
Price: US$3250.00 + shipping
Description: 1st Edition Clamshell Collector's Case. No Binding. First Edition Clamshell Case. A complete set of 14 Clamshell Cases [Not Including Any Books] for all of the Fleming / Bond 007 Novels: Fine black cloth [or Nuba®], with various color sides corresponding the the individual book's dustwrapper, black velour interiors with the exception of Casino Royale which is red velour, Gilt-stamped custom designed very dark grey Nuba® title-pieces on the cloth set, gilt-stamped custom designed titles on the Nuba® set , "Sculpted" multi-layered individual designs on the side of each case. A superb & unique set including: CASINO ROYALE - 1953, LIVE AND LET DIE - 1954, MOONRAKER - 1955, DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER - 1956, - FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE - 1957, DR NO - 1958, GOLDFINGER - 1959, FOR YOUR EYES ONLY - 1960, THUNDERBALL - 1961, THE SPY WHO LOVED ME - 1962, ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE - 1963, YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE - 1964, THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN - 1965, & OCTOPUSSY - 1966. Full leather sets available, inquire for price & delivery.
Seller: TBCL The Book Collector's Library, Montreal, QC, Canada
FLEMING, Ian Lancaster (1908-1964). Casino Royale. London: Jonathan Cape, 1953, 1953.
Price: US$3528.98 + shipping
Description: [Spy thriller] FIRST EDITION, Second Impression. Octavo (20 x 13cm), pp.218; [2], blank. Publisher's black cloth-effect paper over boards, decorated with heart motif to upper, lettered in red to spine, lower edge untrimmed, housed in a leather-spined clamshell box. Provided with a later plain brown paper jacket with printed labels. Contents clean with no ink writing. Covers with acceptable wear, a few light marks, bump to crown and extremities, lettering a little rubbed/dulled. Very good. The novel which introduced the world to British secret agent James Bond 007. Armorial bookplate of Anthony Fanshawe Royle, Baron Fanshawe of Richmond, KCMG (1927-2001), former Guards Officer and SAS Commando, later MP for Richmond, a Foreign Office minister and Conservative Party Vice Chairman under Margaret Thatcher. Gilbert, Jon. Ian Fleming: The Bibliography A1a (2).
Seller: Adrian Harrington Ltd, PBFA, ABA, ILAB, Royal Tunbridge Wells, KENT, United Kingdom
Price: US$6250.00 + shipping
Description: 1st Edition Clamshell Collector's Case. No Binding. 007, CASINO ROYALE, LIVE AND LET DIE, MOONRAKER, DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER, FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE, DR NO, GOLDFINGER, FOR YOUR EYES ONLY, THUNDERBALL, THE SPY WHO LOVED ME, ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE, YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE, THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN, OCTOPUSSY. A complete set of 14 Clamshell Cases [Not Including Any Books] for all of the Fleming / Bond 007 Novels: BLACK LEATHER with rounded spine and raised bars, with various colour sides corresponding the the individual book's dust wrapper, black velour interiors with the exception of Casino Royale which is red velour, Gilt-stamped custom designed titles on the spines."Sculpted" multi-layered individual designs on the side of each case. A superb & unique set including: CASINO ROYALE - 1953, LIVE AND LET DIE - 1954, MOONRAKER - 1955, DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER - 1956, - FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE - 1957, DR NO - 1958, GOLDFINGER - 1959, FOR YOUR EYES ONLY - 1960, THUNDERBALL - 1961, THE SPY WHO LOVED ME - 1962, ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE - 1963, YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE - 1964, THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN - 1965, & OCTOPUSSY - 1966. *We can add SIGNED or INSCRIBED on cases if requested.
Seller: TBCL The Book Collector's Library, Montreal, QC, Canada
FLEMING, Ian (1908-1964). Casino Royale. London: Jonathan Cape, 1953, 1953.
Price: US$8662.04 + shipping
Description: [Spy thriller] FIRST IMPRESSION, EXPORT COPY. Octavo (20 x 13cm), pp.218; [2], blank. Publisher's black cloth-effect paper over boards with red titles and 'Heart' design to upper, tail edge untrimmed. Housed in a bespoke leather-spine clamshell box. Contents clean, edges toned, endpapers with identity marks of U.S.A.F., library pocket at rear with 'withdrawn' as final entry, a couple of neat stamps (not on title page or copyright), covers are near fine. Provided with a later plain brown paper jacket with printed labels, made for ready-reference purposes. This copy was later part of the comprehensive James Bond collection of bibliographer Jon Gilbert, with his pencil notes and ownership to f.e.p. His encyclopaedic guide to the works of Ian Fleming (2012) won the 16th Breslauer Prize for bibliography. The first James Bond novel; this copy, with typically thrilling content for the intended readership, was imported by an American Air Force base in Germany. Only 4728 copies of the first edition were published. An inexpensive copy of this highspot of modern fiction, housed in an attractive leather-spined clamshell box. Gilbert A1a (1.1).
Seller: Adrian Harrington Ltd, PBFA, ABA, ILAB, Royal Tunbridge Wells, KENT, United Kingdom
Fleming, Ian. Casino Royale. Cape, London, 1953.
Price: US$9624.49 + shipping
Description: (London: Jonathan Cape 1953). First UK Edition. 218 pages. Superbly rebound by the world-renowned Bayntun-Riviere of Bath. Sumptuously re-bound in full black morocco with all edges gilt, 5 raised bands to the spine with title blocked in gold in panel 2 and author's name blocked in gold in panel 3, with gilt decorations to panels 4, 5 and 6; marbled end-papers and single-line gilt border to both the front and back boards. To the middle oif the front board is a red heart (with gold border). What differentiates this copy from the norm - apart from the beautiful binding - is how clean the interior pages are. "Casino Royale" is often found with foxing and soiling. This copy has escaped that fate completely and is an OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE. No inscriptions. Becoming very scarce indeed. It would grace any collection of modern first editions. Looks very smart in its custom-made acetate cover. Photographs/scans available upon request.
Seller: James M Pickard, ABA, ILAB, PBFA., LEICESTER, United Kingdom
Fleming, Ian. Casino Royale.. Jonathan Cape, London, 1953.
Price: US$9800.00 + shipping
Description: First edition of the first novel in Ian Fleming's James Bond series. Octavo, original black cloth. In near fine condition. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. An exceptional example. Casino Royale was written by Ian Fleming in Jamaica over a period of around two months, largely from his own experiences and imagination; he also devised the artwork for the cover. "Within the first few pages Fleming had introduced most of Bond's idiosyncrasies and trademarks," which included his looks, his Bentley and his smoking and drinking habits. The full details of Bond's martini were kept until chapter seven of the book and Bond eventually named it "The Vesper", after Vesper Lynd" (Andrew Lycett). It has been filmed twice as a feature film, the first being the 1967 spoof starring David Niven, and later as the twenty-first official Bond film starring Daniel Craig as James Bond.
Seller: Raptis Rare Books, Palm Beach, FL, U.S.A.
Fleming, Ian. Casino Royale.. Jonathan Cape, London, 1953.
Price: US$9800.00 + shipping
Description: First edition of the first novel in Ian Fleming's James Bond series. Octavo, original black cloth. In near fine condition. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. Casino Royale was written by Ian Fleming in Jamaica over a period of around two months, largely from his own experiences and imagination; he also devised the artwork for the cover. "Within the first few pages Fleming had introduced most of Bond's idiosyncrasies and trademarks," which included his looks, his Bentley and his smoking and drinking habits. The full details of Bond's martini were kept until chapter seven of the book and Bond eventually named it "The Vesper", after Vesper Lynd" (Andrew Lycett). It has been filmed twice as a feature film, the first being the 1967 spoof starring David Niven, and later as the twenty-first official Bond film starring Daniel Craig as James Bond.
Seller: Raptis Rare Books, Palm Beach, FL, U.S.A.
Price: US$12832.65 + shipping
Description: Jonathan Cape. 1953. First editon, second impression. Hardback in second state (with Sunday Times review to front flap) DW. Black cloth boards with red text to spine and red heart to centre of upper board. Lean to spine, very slight shelfwear to edges of boards, endpapers browned and foxed, slight age toning to pages, outer margins of pages and page-edges occasionally foxed. No inscriptions. A generally clean and sound copy in a foxed wrapper that is soiled to rear panel, slightly worn to extremities and chipped to head of spine with wear to top corners and a small pin prick hole and slight marking to spine. NOT price-clipped. Please contact us for further information.
Seller: Addyman Books, Hay-on-Wye, United Kingdom
Fleming, Ian. CASINO ROYALE. Jonathan Cape, London, 1953.
Price: US$17500.00 + shipping
Description: First Impression. Octavo (20cm); publisher's black paper-covered boards, with titling and decorative elements stamped in red on spine and front cover; dustjacket; [4],5-218,[2]pp. Previous owners ink name to upper front endpaper, lower corners gently tapped (though still sharp), with a faint, tiny stain to lower edge of textblock; no foxing, but a few small stains to margins of a half-dozen pages or so; Very Good+. In the second state dustjacket, with the Sunday Times review over-printed on front flap and 'The Author' over-printed beneath Fleming's portrait on rear panel (constituting 2400 of the 4728-copy print run); unclipped (priced 10s. 6d. net), gently spine-sunned and lightly edgeworn, with a few tiny tears, and some toning and dust-soil to rear panel; an unrestored, Very Good+ example, with plenty of shelf-appeal. Attractive copy of the first James Bond novel, introducing 007, M, Vesper Lynd, and criminal mastermind Le Chiffre. Basis for Martin Campbell's 2006 film adaptation, starring Daniel Craig, Eva Green, and Judi Dench. Gilbert A1a (1.2); Pronzini & Muller, p.252; Hubin, p.144.
Seller: Captain Ahab's Rare Books, ABAA, Stephenson, VA, U.S.A.
Ian Fleming. Casino Royale. Jonathan Cape, 1953.
Price: US$17965.72 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: First UK edition. First impression from 1953 in second issue (1953) jacket. The book is VG+. There is a slight spine lean and some wear to lettering on the spine. The pages are clean (see pic). The jacket is the second issue with Sunday Times review on front flap, (latter copies of the 1st edition were issued with this jacket). It is not price clipped. There is some chipping to tip and tail of spine and some marking to rear. Now in removable protective sleeve. Please see pictures. Any questions please get in touch.
Seller: Setanta Books, Richmond, SURRE, United Kingdom
Ian Fleming. Casino Royale. London: Jonathan Cape, 1953.
Price: US$21961.64 + shipping
Condition: As New
Description: First Edition, First Printing. A near fine copy in a near fine second issue dustwrapper (with Christopher Pym's review in the Sunday Times over-printed on the front flap and "The Author" on the rear panel). A most collectable copy of this scarce title: no inscriptions or flaws, book and dustwrapper completely original, never ever having been touched by any restorer. Compared to other copies that have been on the market since 2015, this is one of the really desirable ones. Only 4728 copies (plus a few proofs and review ones) of the first edition were printed , 2400 of which came with the second state dustwrapper. Sadly, most collections of James Bond novels in first editions, first printings lack "Casino Royale" since its initial print-run was pretty low, sold out very fast and a considerable number of the very first edition went to libraries.
Seller: Yves G. Rittener - YGRbookS, Zürich, Switzerland
Ian Fleming. Casino Royale. Jonathan Cape, London UK, 1953.
Price: US$23098.78 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: This Casino Royale was a previously library owned edition yet it is in remarkable condition. Original black cloth boards with heart on the cover and red lettering on the spine. Front and rear paste down have light loss where the dust jacket was apparently secured. Previous owner's signature on the front free page. London library stamp on the half title page and rear flap of DJ. Dog eared on four of the pages. Dust jacket has had a clear cover professionally removed and the lettering on the front flap and rear panel is now misaligned. Light stain on the spine touching the letter "A". Marks on the flaps where the pasting was present. Otherwise a bright and clean dust jacket with little wear to the corners, spine ends or edges.
Seller: Rare And Antique Books PBFA, Exeter, DEVON, United Kingdom
FLEMING, Ian Lancaster (1908-1964). Casino Royale. London: Jonathan Cape, 1953, 1953.
Price: US$28873.47 + shipping
Description: [Spy thriller] FIRST EDITION, SECOND ISSUE. Octavo (20 x 13cm), pp.218; [2], blank. Publisher's black cloth-effect paper over boards with red titles and 'Heart' design to upper, tail edge untrimmed, in pictorial second issue (overprinted) dust-jacket, designed by the author, showing the correct price of 10/6 to both flaps. Publisher's 'Now & The' subscription card tucked in (as issued), together with vintage purchase receipt (1970). Contents clean and fresh, no inscriptions. An unquestionably fine copy in like, crisp dust-wrapper. A remarkable survival, housed in an elegant custom-made leather-spined clamshell case. The first James Bond novel; only 4728 copies of the first edition were published. Gilbert A1a (1.2).
Seller: Adrian Harrington Ltd, PBFA, ABA, ILAB, Royal Tunbridge Wells, KENT, United Kingdom
FLEMING, Ian.. Casino Royale.. Jonathan Cape, London., 1953.
Price: US$30156.74 + shipping
Description: First edition. Octavo. 218 pages. The author's first book and the novel which unleashed James Bond upon an unsuspecting world.Spotting to front free endpaper, half-title and top edge. Very good in the first-issue dustwrapper (no review on front flap) which is good, price-clipped, lightly soiled on rear panel, nicked and chipped at the edges and defective at head of spine.
Seller: Peter Ellis, Bookseller, ABA, ILAB, London, United Kingdom
Fleming, Ian. Casino Royale.. Jonathan Cape, London, 1953.
Price: US$40000.00 + shipping
Description: First edition of the first novel in Ian Fleming's James Bond series. Octavo, original black cloth. Boldly signed by the author âfrom Ian Flemingâ on a card mounted to the front free endpaper. Casino Royale was written by Ian Fleming in Jamaica over a period of around two months, largely from his own experiences and imagination; he also devised the artwork for the cover. "Within the first few pages Fleming had introduced most of Bond's idiosyncrasies and trademarks," which included his looks, his Bentley and his smoking and drinking habits. The full details of Bond's martini were kept until chapter seven of the book and Bond eventually named it "The Vesper", after Vesper Lynd" (Andrew Lycett). It has been filmed twice as a feature film, the first being the 1967 spoof starring David Niven, and later as the twenty-first official Bond film starring Daniel Craig as James Bond. Near fine in a near fine first issue dust jacket without the Sunday Times review printed on the front flap, priced at â10s. 6d. net". with some restoration along upper and lower edges. Housed in a custom clamshell box.
Seller: Raptis Rare Books, Palm Beach, FL, U.S.A.
FLEMING, Ian Lancaster (1908-1964). Casino Royale. London: Jonathan Cape, 1953, 1953.
Price: US$41706.13 + shipping
Description: [Spy novel] FIRST EDITION, FIRST ISSUE. Octavo (20 x 13cm), pp.218; [2], blank. Publisher's black cloth-effect paper over boards with red titles and 'heart' design to upper, tail edge untrimmed, pictorial dust-wrapper priced at 10/6. Edges clean and fresh, no inscriptions, a few faint spots of foxing to endpapers and rear panel of jacket, shallow chip to crown and slightly larger loss to top edge else a decent example of the wrapper with no restoration whatsoever. Housed in a leather-spined cloth-covered clamshell box. Gilbert A1a (1.1).
Seller: Adrian Harrington Ltd, PBFA, ABA, ILAB, Royal Tunbridge Wells, KENT, United Kingdom
Ian Fleming. Casino Royale. Jonathan Cape, London, 1953.
Price: US$46197.55 + shipping
Description: The 1st book in this famous 14 volume set, first edition hardback with original first state dust cover, priceclipped. Has not been restored. Some rubbing to extremities of dust cover. Light foxing to endpapers. Overall very good condition. 218 pp. Presents well, striking cover 'arranged by the author. Perfect addition to a Fleming collection. The iconic 1st James Bond Novel this being the 1st edition 1st issue and with no restoration. We also have a complete set of James bond Novels in stock.
Seller: St Marys Books And Prints, Stamford, United Kingdom
Price: US$48122.45 + shipping
Description: First editions of the complete series of James Bond books. Each volume features a design specific to each title copied from the original spines and cloth boards. The set is beautifully presented in a leather entry slipcase resting on a leather plinth. 14 volumes, octavo (180 x 118 mm). Finely bound by the Chelsea Bindery in black morocco, spines and covers decorated with pictorial title blocks copied from the original covers, twin rule to turn-ins silver, red coloured endpapers, all edges silver. Housed in a leather entry slipcase. Occasional light foxing, else a fine and handsome set.
Seller: Peter Harrington. ABA/ ILAB., London, United Kingdom
FLEMING, Ian. Casino Royale. Jonathan Cape, 1953, 1953.
Price: US$48122.45 + shipping
Description: Octavo. Original black boards, spine lettered in red, red heart device on front cover. With dust jacket. Housed in a custom blue quarter morocco solander box. Edges foxed, sporadically affecting margins, contents clean. A very good copy in like, gently foxed jacket, not price-clipped, couple of nicks and short closed tears, a bright and sharp example. First edition, second impression, presentation copy, inscribed by the author in the year of publication on the front free endpaper, "To Tanis and Teddy Read and burn! from The Author. Aoüt 1953". The married couple Tanis and Teddy resided with the Flemings at their Goldeneye estate the following year for, in Ann Fleming's words, "twelve interminable days" (quoted in Lycett). The endless flirting between Tanis Eva Bulkeley Guinness (1908-1993) and Charles "Teddy" Edward Harold John Phillips (1907-2006) proved to be a nuisance to Ian Fleming; in early 1954, attempting to write Moonraker (1955), his concentration was frequently interrupted by their pet names of "Bear" and "Lion". "At one stage Ian was driven to announce at the luncheon table that he and Ann were going away for a short while, and that their visitors could, of course, continue to use the house. Since Ann had not been informed of this ploy, it caused some embarrassment. Ann had to produce some clever social footwork, which only resulted in Ian accusing her of being a traitor" (Lycett). Following this confrontation, temperatures cooled; the Flemings were not driven out of their own home, and Tanis and Teddy would subsequently offer their hosts two bottles of whisky as an apology. Interestingly, Teddy was a relative of Ian Fleming's intimate friend Ivar Bryce, who was instrumental in finding for Fleming the Goldeneye estate, on Jamaica's north shore. Fleming wrote the Bond novels with the assistance of an unusual clause in his contract as foreign news manager of Kemsley Newspapers: Fleming would take January and February as his annual paid leave, during which time he worked on his novels at Goldeneye. Casino Royale, the first of the Bond novels, was first published earlier the same year. This copy is from the significant Ian Fleming collection of Martin Schøyen (b.1940), with his bookplate. Schøyen's private collection of manuscripts, which span all cultures and all time periods, is one of the largest and most comprehensive of its kind. Gilbert A1a(2); The Schøyen Collection No. 3. Andrew Lycett, Ian Fleming: The Man Who Created James Bond, 2012; Edward Abel Smith, Ian Fleming's Inspiration: The Truth Behind the Books, 2020, p. 159.
Seller: Adrian Harrington Ltd, PBFA, ABA, ILAB, Royal Tunbridge Wells, KENT, United Kingdom
FLEMING, Ian. Casino Royale. Jonathan Cape, London, 1953.
Price: US$55000.00 + shipping
Description: First Impression, in first issue dustwrapper without the later reviews or author statement. Publisher's black cloth boards with red titles and âHeart' design to upper, in pictorial jacket. Book has a slight lean but is essentially a clean copy in a very slightly scuffed and edgeworn dustwrapper. A quite splendid association copy. In a custom black leather-spined clamshell case. This copy previously belonged to Sir Fitzroy Maclean, noted diplomat, noted intelligence agent (although he always denied ever having been a spy), decorated war-time S.A.S. officer, and, quite apart from all of these other achievements, one of the most compelling and "accepted" models for modern fiction's most famous blunt instrument. A wartime account of a meeting with Maclean had this to say: "Maclean is described by his friends, as a man of dual character--outwardly languid and casual, affecting the bored, drooping mannerism of a Mayfair dilettante, but inwardly burning with a zest for danger and adventure." Sounds familiar. Fleming and Maclean, fellow Old Etonians and survivors of the rigours of the British public school system, first encountered each other in Moscow in the 1930's. Maclean was there in his capacity as a representative of His Majesty's Foreign Office, and Fleming was a rather dilettante Reuter's correspondent covering what he could of the Soviet purges. Their contributions to Britain's ensuing war effort may have differed rather wildly, but both occupied important roles; Fleming in Naval Intelligence, fighting a chess war by proxy, of subterfuge, plot and counter plot (which rather came in handy for his later writing career, one imagines), and Fitzroy Maclean rattling about the world parachuting in and out of dangerous places, trekking through mountain passes making deals with partisans and guerillas, and generally fighting the kind of war that ends up using a fair amount of piano wire, whilst requiring nerves of absolute titanium. "To some people my life might seem one long adventure holiday blowing up forts in the desert clandestinely parachuting into guerrilla wars, penetrating forbidden cities deep behind closed frontiers, I enjoy the excitement and the achievement of going to remote places, such as getting into Samarkand and Bokhara at the height of Stalin's horrific regime, when no foreigner, let alone a diplomat, was allowed into central Asia." To other people, rare booksellers for example, that sounds unfeasibly terrifying, but certainly notable. It should also be pointed out that Maclean was 85 years old when he said that, so like Bond, his ability to survive and flourish was clearly never in doubt. In 1949 he published his celebrated autobiography "Eastern Approaches" (also published by Jonathan Cape, Fleming's publisher), recounting his exploits in the Western Desert, creeping around behind enemy lines generally wreaking very British chaos in the service of the allies. In certain cases one could be excused for thinking that Bond was a slightly toned-down version of Maclean, but there are very definite congruencies in nerve and determination. The book itself is accompanied by some of MacLean's papers; a loose sheet of notepaper, headed âHouse of Commons', signed by Maclean (as inserted in the book when sold at auction), plus an unused sheet headed âFrom the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for War', the position held by MacLean at the time of Casino Royale's publication, a compliments slip from Brigadier Maclean, a visiting card as Secretary at the British Foreign Embassy, and an unused address label from Jonathan Cape, who, as mentioned, published both MacLean and Ian Fleming. (As a further note, this very copy is discussed in John Gilbert's award winning bibliography of Ian Fleming under "Gilbert A1a (1.1) [this copy noted on page 23]. See also Appendix A, page 647." As a reference work for the Bond enthusiast, it is probably compulsory). A rather remarkable copy, of a remarkable book, owned by a singularly remarkable man.
Seller: Lorne Bair Rare Books, ABAA, Winchester, VA, U.S.A.
Ian Fleming. Casino Royale. Jonathan Cape, UK, 1953.
Price: US$57746.94 + shipping
Condition: Fine
Description: Casino Royale by Ian Fleming First Edition First Impression Jonathan Cape 1953. No inscriptions or signs of ownership. No foxing or offsetting. Contents are completely unblemished throughout. Covers fine and unmarked with red lettering and heart motif still very bright. No bumping to edges or corners. A fine copy in a near fine first state dust jacket (without 'The Times' newspaper review). Not price clipped. For further images please see Brought to Book Ltd.
Seller: Brought to Book Ltd, London, United Kingdom
FLEMING, IAN. Casino Royale. London Jonathan Cape 1953, 1953.
Price: US$75000.00 + shipping
Description: First Edition, First Printing, First State Dust Jacket. British mystery and thriller novelist Hammond InnesÕs copy with his engraved bookplate which is hand-signed by him in blue ink affixed to the front pastedown. A little foxing to the first two blank leaves and to the two rear blank leaves, a very faint foxing hint to the outer edges (extremely minor) otherwise near fine clean copy with the cloth fresh and the red stamping very bright in a near fine bright dust jacket with two minute slivers of almost undetectable interior reinforcement by an expert paper conservationist at the top and bottom of spine. The printed colors are bright. Enclosed in a custom clamshell box. Hammond Innes CBE (1913-1998) was a contemporary of Ian Fleming, and whereas Fleming wrote spy thrillers, InnesÕs thrillers often dealt with the sea. His most famous novel is The Wreck of the Mary Deare which was made into a film in 1959 starring Gary Cooper and Charlton Heston.
Seller: James Pepper Rare Books, Inc., ABAA, Santa Barbara, CA, U.S.A.
FLEMING, Ian.. Casino Royale.. London: Jonathan Cape, 1953, 1953.
Price: US$76995.92 + shipping
Description: First edition, first impression, in the first issue dust jacket, without the Sunday Times review on the front flap. According to Biondi and Pickard, the jacket "is genuinely rare in fresh condition", as here. The author's first work, it saw an initial print run of 4,760 copies, of which 4,728were bound up. "Many of these went to public libraries and we believe that less than half of the first printing was sold to the public" (Biondi & Pickard). Fleming wrote this and the subsequent Bond novels at his Goldeneye estate in Jamaica, where he resided from January to February each year as part of his contracted holiday leave as foreign news manager of Kemsley Newspapers. As Fleming himself stated, his goal with Casino Royale was to write "the spy novel of all spy novels" (cited in Gilbert). Biondi & Pickard 40; Gilbert A1a (1.1). Octavo. Original black boards, spine lettered in red, heart device on front cover in red, bottom edge untrimmed. With dust jacket. Housed in a black quarter morocco solander box by the Chelsea Bindery. A few marks to covers, contents fresh; jacket remarkably crisp and bright, vertical crease on front spine fold, couple of small splash marks to front flap, unclipped: a near-fine copy in like jacket.
Seller: Peter Harrington. ABA/ ILAB., London, United Kingdom
Ian Fleming. Casino Royale. Jonathan Cape, London, 1953.
Price: US$93036.74 + shipping
Condition: Fine
Description: HARDBACK - A fine book, bound in the publisher's black cloth boards with clean unfaded red lettering to the spine and heart motif to the front panel. Internally, the pages are very clean indeed with the merest hint of foxing to the end papers, but extremely clean throughout the rest of the inner text. Free of any previous owner names or inscriptions. The dust wrapper is also in fine condition with no loss or tears present, also with no loss of colour or dulling to the spine. There is very minor creasing to the head of the spine, also with a small strip of toning to the top of the rear flap, with a few very faint spots to the rear panel, else a beautiful looking jacket with the publisher's printed price of 10s.6net present to the lower corners of the front flap and rear flaps. There is no review to the front lower rear panel, denoting a correct first issue dust wrapper. Included with the book is a custom made, felt lined clam shell box with raised bands and gilt lettering to the spine, for the books future protection. We have handled a number of copies of Casino Royale in the last twenty five years of dealing in Ian Fleming titles. This copy is the best copy we have handled in this time. A sublime copy.
Seller: West Hull Rare Books - P.B.F.A., Hull, YORKS, United Kingdom
Fleming, Ian. Casino Royale.. Jonathan Cape, London, 1953.
Price: US$98000.00 + shipping
Description: First edition of the first novel in Ian Fleming's James Bond series. Octavo, original black cloth. Boldly signed by Ian Fleming on the front free endpaper. From the library of Mrs. Bowker. This example was given by Fleming to his his char-lady. Near fine in a near fine first state dust jacket (without the Sunday Times review on the inner front flap) with some professional restoration to the extremities. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. Casino Royale was written by Ian Fleming in Jamaica over a period of around two months, largely from his own experiences and imagination; he also devised the artwork for the cover. "Within the first few pages Fleming had introduced most of Bond's idiosyncrasies and trademarks," which included his looks, his Bentley and his smoking and drinking habits. The full details of Bond's martini were kept until chapter seven of the book and Bond eventually named it "The Vesper", after Vesper Lynd" (Andrew Lycett). It has been filmed twice as a feature film, the first being the 1967 spoof starring David Niven, and later as the twenty-first official Bond film starring Daniel Craig as James Bond.
Seller: Raptis Rare Books, Palm Beach, FL, U.S.A.
FLEMING, Ian.. Casino Royale.. London: Jonathan Cape, 1953, 1953.
Price: US$121910.21 + shipping
Description: First edition, first impression, in the first issue dust jacket, presentation copy, inscribed by the author, "To Tony, Read & Burn, Ian". This is a wonderful association copy: the recipient was his friend Anthony Kemsley (later to become Sir Anthony Berry), the youngest son of Viscount Kemsley, a significant figure in Fleming's life. Kemsley, owner of The Sunday Times among others, offered Fleming a job as foreign news manager of Kemsley Newspapers after the war, and enabled him to write the Bond novels by allowing an unusual clause in Fleming's contract: Fleming would take January and February as his annual paid leave, during which time he worked on his novels at Goldeneye, on Jamaica's north shore; Casino Royale was completed over this period in 1952. Fleming sometimes "ordered a correspondent to change his name if he did not like it. His view was that, generally speaking, all foreign correspondents should have British-sounding names. Mario Modiano in Athens became Michael Manning, Mozandi in Tehran became Mostyn, while Geoffrey Bocca in New York one day received a terse cable from Fleming saying: allez bocca ave barker. Once however, Fleming had this trick played back at him. When Anthony Berry, Lord Kemsley's youngest son, was editing the Sunday Chronicle, a story came in from the Gibraltar correspondent on a security issue and a request that his byline should not be used. This occurred shortly after Fleming had his first novel published. 'We must have some byline,' said Anthony Berry. 'Why not James Bond, Gibraltar?' This byline was duly used" (McCormick, p. 129). Gilbert A1a (1.1). Donald McCormick, 17F: The Life of Ian Fleming, 1993. Octavo. Original black cloth, spine lettered in red, heart device to front cover in red. With the supplied dust jacket. Housed in a custom black quarter morocco case, red morocco labels, compartments gilt, front panel with gold and red onlays repeating design from dust jacket. Spine gently cocked, minor marks to covers, book block slightly rippled, foxing to endpapers, contents otherwise clean and unmarked. A very good copy in the jacket, neat repair to joints of flaps, a little repair and colour to head of spine and front fore-tip, small chips around extremities, unclipped, bright and presenting nicely.
Seller: Peter Harrington. ABA/ ILAB., London, United Kingdom
Ian Fleming. Casino Royale. Jonathan Cape, 1953, 1953.
Price: US$145000.00 + shipping
Condition: Fine
Description: Hard Cover. First Edition. True first British edition, first printing. Book in fine condition, tight and square (sharp corners), no writings or marks, bright red gilded heart on front board and title on spine. Dustjacket complete, with tiny (imperceptible almost) chips at top spine and top corner, sligthly faded spine, original price of 10s. 6d. net present on front flap and back flap. First issue dustwrapper. This copy has the publisher's clip stating "Advance Copy for Review.". There hasn't been a similar copy in the market at least in the last 30 years being one of only 8 or 10 copies issued. Extremely rare and unique copy. Photos available upon request. $145,000.00
Seller: E. B. Books, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Price: US$189281.65 + shipping
Description: First editions of all fourteen James Bond books, each in their original [first state] dustwrapper, without repair or restoration. On Her Majesty's Secret Service is the limited edition, numbered and signed by Ian Fleming. The Man with the Golden Gun, is signed by and from the collection of the dustwrapper artist Richard Chopping. Together with six of the earliest continuation novels: Kingsley Amis' The James Bond Dossier and Colonel Sun (as Robert Markham); John Gardner's Licence Renewed; For Special Services (signed); Icebreaker (signed); Nobody Lives For Ever. A stunning set, a full catalogue description for each book is available on request. Further details and images for any of the items listed are available on request. Lucius Books welcomes direct contact with our customers.
Seller: LUCIUS BOOKS (ABA, ILAB, PBFA), York, United Kingdom
Price: US$609551.06 + shipping
Description: An exciting collection of 17 books, with 10 of the collection signed and inscribed by Ian Fleming, as well as later (posthumous) titles signed by Sir Roger Moore, the ornithologist James Bond and actress Maud Adams (Octopussy). Comprising: CASINO ROYALE: A first edition, first printing published by Cape in 1953. A near fine book without inscriptions. A little light pushing to the spine tips. No foxing. A lovely copy. SIGNED and INSCRIBED to the front endpaper by the Author - 'To Lisl/Despite whose loving/care this book was/written/X/Ian/. In a very good, unclipped first issue dust wrapper with no overprinting to the front flap of the wrapper. Some light chipping to the head of the spine. A little light handling marks to the rear panel. Ian Fleming first met Lisl Popper (then Lisa Jokl) at age nineteen during the "Golden time" at Kitzbuhel in Austria in 1926. She was eight years older than Fleming, and worked in a local cafe. Fleming soon became acquainted with Lisl and her friends at the cafe and her simple outdoor lifestyle appealed to Fleming immensely - skiing in winter, swimming and tennis in the summer. Another physical activity - sex - kept Fleming and Lisl very active as lovers and some years later he commented that despite the air of sexual liberation, he did show some reservation about the manner in which Austrian girls threw themselves at his young English body. Lisl and Fleming became lifelong friends, and in 1960, Fleming signed a copy of his latest James Bond instalment "For Your Eyes Only" (A collection of five short stories) to Lisl with the personal inscription "noch ein paar Eier fr Ostern!" ("yet another pair of eggs for Easter"). It is perhaps no coincidence that the female character in the fifth short story in the collection is named Lisl Baum. Upon Fleming's death in 1964, he left Lisl £500 in his will. Lisl later said that "All the things said about Ian -- his gloom, his melancholy, his solitariness -- frankly amaze me. To all of us who knew him in Kitzbuhel he was exactly the opposite -- Gay, care-free, terribly happy, the most exciting and vital sort of person. Not like an Englishman at all". An extremely important association copy. LIVE AND LET DIE: A first edition, first printing published by Cape in 1954. Inscribed by the Author on the front free end-paper: "To/ MW/ The faithful &/ true!/ from/ The Author". With an additional ownership inscription and date (1954) of M J Williams on the front paste-down. The book is accompanied by the correct first state dust wrapper without the artist's (Kenneth Lewis] credit on the front flap. Correctly priced at 10s.6d. net to both the front and rear flaps. There are a few very small internal neat repairs. Minor creasing to the edges and corners with a little light loss on the corners. Some light soiling to the rear panel as is usual. Muriel Williams (often referred to as MJW or MW) was Fleming's Assistant at Kemsley newspapers when he was the Foreign Manager. She was responsible for the day-to-day running of the Department in particular liaison with the "Stringers" who, hailing from far flung parts of the World, submitted stories for inclusion in the Kemsley Publications (including the Sunday Times). The dust wrapper artist, Kenneth Lewis (who worked in the Art Department at Kemsley), remembers her well, commenting on her flat-chested appearance, strong and forceful personality, her use of bright red lipstick and that Fleming deferred to her. Fleming inscribed several of his other early novels to her, including Casino Royale and Moonraker. This book has been in private hands for many years. MOONRAKER: A first edition, first printing published by Cape in 1955. A near fine book, inscribed by the author to the front end paper. The inscription reads - TO JOYCE / THE HAPPY GHOST / FROM / IAN FLEMING / 1955. Joyce Emerson (1921-1979), a journalist by trade, who worked at The Sunday Times during the 1950's and 60's. She befriended Fleming whilst working on the 'Atticus' team alongside him. Atticus was a weekly society gossip column, which Fleming joined in the autumn of 1953 (during the release time of his first novel 'Casino Royale'). As the inscription suggests, Emerson would (almost certainly) have ghost-written many of the pieces carrying his name. The book is free of any owner names or inscriptions, with the correctly printed SHOOT found to page 10. The dust wrapper is in very good condition. There is the usual fading to the red flames found to the spine. Correctly priced at 10s.6d net to both the front and rear flaps. An incredibly scarce title to acquire, signed and inscribed by the author and more so as the inscription includes Fleming's full name as well as the year of publication. DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER: A first edition, first printing published by Cape in 1956. A very good+ book without inscriptions. Some spotting to the prelims. Slight fading to the spine title. In a very good unclipped wrapper which has benefitted from some restoration to the bottom of the spine which is evident internally. Some rubbing and wear to the spine tips and corners. A little light soiling to the rear panel. FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE: A first edition, first printing published by Jonathan Cape in 1957. A very good book without inscriptions. Bound in the original black boards with silver titles on spine. Red rose and metallic gun to the front board. In the rare dust wrapper. The book has a little spotting within and some wear to the boards and edges. Sporadic spotting to the contents, with minor creasing to the rear board and little cracking to the rear pastedown. The dust wrapper is unclipped and original to the book. Some shallow v-shape loss to the spine ends. Exceptionally rare inscribed. The book is inscribed with the Author's signed presentation inscription to the front endpaper, 'To R. Singleton-Ward/ In (I hope)/Gratitude/ Ian Fleming/ 1957'/ The recipient Richard Singleton-Ward. Singleton-Ward was born in Droitwich at the turn of the century
Seller: John Atkinson Books ABA ILAB PBFA, Harrogate, United Kingdom