Available Copies from Independent Booksellers
Dick Francis. For Kicks - SIGNED BY THE AUTHOR. Michael Joseph, London, 1965.
Price: US$581.22 + shipping
Condition: Near Fine
Description: HARDBACK - A near fine book, bound in the publisher's green cloth boards with bright gilt lettering to the spine. There is a minor bump to the top corner of the front and rear board, with a little pushing to the spine tips. Internally, there is very slight foxing to the page block, but with a very clean inner text. Signed by the author to the title page. No previous owner names or inscriptions inset. The dust wrapper is also in near fine condition with a one inch closed tear to the spine tip with a slightly larger closed tear to the base of the spine. The dust wrapper is very clean indeed with the publisher's printed price of 16s.net present to the base of the front flap.
Seller: West Hull Rare Books - P.B.F.A., Hull, YORKS, United Kingdom
Francis, Dick. For Kicks. Michael Joseph, London, 1965.
Price: US$630.00 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: Nice copy in its first printing. The third book in his mystery series. Inscribed briefly on title page by author. Faint foxing to top page edges. Former owner signature dated 3 February 1965 House Coori on front pastedown, mostly hidden under front flap of jacket. Hint of lean. Price clipped jacket is a nice one with faint soiling on rear panel. Orange lettering for title on spine is unfaded. In mylar. Size: 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall
Seller: Timothy Norlen Bookseller, Santa Barbara, CA, U.S.A.
Francis, Dick. For Kicks. Michael Joseph, London, 1965.
Price: US$710.38 + shipping
Description: First UK Edition. INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR IN THE YEAR OF PUBLICATION. Publisher's green boards with gilt spine lettering. Slight pushing at the base of the spine just a hint of light toning to the page block edges otherwise VG indeed. The VG++ dustwrapper has a tiny chip from the top right-hand corner of the inside flap but has ABSOLUTELY NO FADING TO THE RED SPINE LETTERING WITH THE BACK PANEL BEAUTIFULLY CLEAN AND NO TONING TO THE WHITE SPINE LETTERING and is complete with no tears, wear or pieces missing. SUPERBLY INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR IN THE YEAR OF PUBLICATION on the front free end-paper: "February 1965/ Gerry Albertini/ My very best wishes/ Dick Francis". Gerry Albertini was a racehorse owner and entrepreneur who lived in Stacumny House in Tipperary. He was the son of an American rail magnate who inherited £2.5 million and was a socialite in Mayfair famous for throwing wild parties Year-of-publication inscribed copies of this mid 60's iconic first edition in lovely collector's condition are pretty uncommon these days. Photographs/scans available upon request.
Seller: James M Pickard, ABA, ILAB, PBFA., LEICESTER, United Kingdom
Francis, Dick. FOR KICKS. Michael Joseph (1965), London, 1965.
Price: US$750.00 + shipping
Description: First edition. His third mystery. SIGNED by Francis on the title page. Faintest ring marks on front cover, page edges darkened with subtle mottling (not immediately noticeable and not extending to margins), otherwise would be near fine; in good or better dust jacket, which presents better than it sounds -- rubbed, flattened creasing at base of spine and narrow line at middle, few small chips and tears, and extensive staining to the verso, which fortunately is only outwardly visible on the rear panel.
Seller: Quill & Brush, member ABAA, Middletown, MD, U.S.A.
FRANCIS DICK. For Kicks. Michael Joseph, London, 1965.
Price: US$774.96 + shipping
Description: First UK Edition. INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR IN THE YEAR OF PUBLICATION. Publisher's green boards with gilt spine lettering. Just a hint of light foxing to the page block edges otherwise an attractive near fine copy in a VG+ D/W nicked at the head and tail of the spine and with a couple of short, almost invisible, closed tears. The D/W has had no restoration whatsoever and shows well with the all-important "FOR KICKS" on the spine entirely un-faded. SUPERBLY INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR IN THE YEAR OF PUBLICATION on the front free end-paper: "February 1965/ Bay Drew/ My very best wishes. It/ was nice meeting you, & hope/ there aren't too many racing/ terms used in here that you/ cannot understand!/ Dick Francis". Year-of-publication inscribed copies of this mid 60's iconic first edition in lovely collector's condition are distinctly uncommon. Photographs/scans available upon request.
Seller: James M Pickard, ABA, ILAB, PBFA., LEICESTER, United Kingdom
Francis, Dick. For Kicks - SIGNED and INSCRIBED. Michael Joseph 1965, 1965.
Price: US$839.54 + shipping
Description: A first edition, first printing published by Michael Joseph in 1965. A near fine book without inscriptions in a near fine unclipped wrapper with some light wear to the corners and spine tips and a little nicking. SIGNED and INSCRIBED on the front endpaper 'Diana Spicer/Very best wishes/Dick Francis' and dated (in the month of publication) 'February 1965'. Scarce inscribed and the third in Dick Francis' series.
Seller: John Atkinson Books ABA ILAB PBFA, Harrogate, United Kingdom
Francis, Dick. For Kicks. Michael Joseph, 1965.
Price: US$2500.00 + shipping
Condition: Fine
Description: First Edition, First Printing. A fabulous copy. This copy is SIGNED by Dick Francis on a laid in signature. This ORIGINAL dustjacket is rich in color with minor wear to the edges. The book is in excellent condition. The binding is tight and the boards are crisp with a hint of wear to the edges. The pages are clean with NO writing, marks or bookplates in the book. A superb copy in collector's condition SIGNED BY THE AUTHOR.
Seller: Magnum Opus Rare Books, Missoula, MT, U.S.A.