"A book should serve as the axe for the frozen sea within us."
— Franz Kafka
Ian Fleming | First Editions
1908 - 1964
See below for our world-leading stock of Ian Fleming first editions, signed first editions, fine bindings, sets, association copies, letters, and other collectible material relating to Fleming and his famous creation, James Bond.
Ian Lancaster Fleming was born in Mayfair, London on 28th May 1908, the second of four brothers. He was schooled at Eton College and continued his education in Europe, studying languages in Kitzbuhel, Munich and Geneva. In the 1930's Fleming worked as both a merchant banker and a stockbroker, but it was at journalism (initially reporting for Reuters, then freelance) that he excelled. During World War II, with the rank of Commander, he worked as assistant to the Director of Naval Intelligence at the Admiralty in London, privy to many secrets. It was his experience in this role and his earlier escapades in Russia that were to inspire many of the plots and characters that would appear within his later novels. After the war Fleming dabbled in travel journalism and began writing instructional articles for his network of 'Mercury [news] Service' agents. In the late '40s he bought a property in Jamaica, where in early 1952 he settled down to write a novel. Casino Royale, the first James Bond adventure, was produced in just two months. The same successful routine was followed every year for the rest of his life, leading to a total of fourteen Bond books.
Ian Fleming
Queen Anne Press
Ian Fleming the Bibliography by Jon Gilbert
The Lilly Library
James Bond First Editions
The Ian Fleming Foundation
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The Magical Car. Illustrated by John Burningham.
London: Jonathan Cape and Queen Anne Press, 2014. [Children's illustrated] LIMITED EDITION. In three volumes, complete. Octavo (25 x 17cm), pp.48; pp.48; pp.48. Publisher's white hardcovers in glossy pictorial dust-wrappers, the three volumes are presented in a racing green slip-case. A facsimile of the first edition of Ian Fleming's famous..... More
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The Magical Car. Illustrated by John Burningham.
London: Jonathan Cape 1964-5. [Children's classic] 3 volumes, octavos (24 x 17cm). ALL FIRST IMPRESSIONS. Complete. Pp.48, 48, 48. Publisher's white hardcovers in glossy pictorial dust-wrappers. A presentable set with some expected wear, a few marks and tears (one longer tear to no.3), no bookplates or inscriptions. All three volumes..... More
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The Magical Car. Illustrated by John Burningham.
London: Jonathan Cape and Queen Anne Press, 2014. [Children's illustrated] LIMITED EDITION, no 80 of 100 copies only, this set being additionally SIGNED BY THE ARTIST John Burningham to each book. 3 volumes, tall octavos, complete. Pp.48, 48, 48. Publisher's white hardcovers in glossy pictorial dust-wrappers. A facsimile of the..... More
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The Magical Car. Illustrated by John Burningham.
London: Jonathan Cape and Queen Anne Press, 2014. [Children's illustrated] DELUXE LIMITED EDITION, one of just 50 sets, accompanied by two prints, measuring 297 x 210mm, SIGNED and numbered by John Burningham. Three volumes plus portfolio, housed in a grey cloth slipcase (34 x 24 x 6cm), pp.48; pp.48; pp.48..... More
![Berlin Escape [The Living Daylights] contained within 'Intrigue Magazine' November 1965, volume...](/images/noimage.png)
Berlin Escape [The Living Daylights] contained within 'Intrigue Magazine' November 1965, volume 1, number 2.
Pamar Enterprises, NY 1965. Pp.143 + 1 (advert). Price 50c. Digest magazine format, illustrated. American pre book-form appearance of this James Bond novellette, published as 'The Living Daylights' in 1966. The story was published in periodical form in the UK in 1962. A lovely fine copy with the inevitable toning..... More
Casino Royale.
London: Jonathan Cape, 1953. [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. Small mark to top edge else a near fine copy of..... More
Casino Royale.
London: Jonathan Cape, 1953. [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. A very lightly handled copy; jacket with one tiny nick to..... More
Casino Royale.
London: Jonathan Cape, 1953. [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. Some moderate toning, jacket with some chips and tears, 1cm loss..... More
Complete James Bond First Editions in Facsimile. Comprising Casino Royale, Live and Let Die, Moonraker, Diamonds Are Forever, From Russia With Love, Dr. No, Goldfinger, For Your Eyes Only (short stories inc. From A View To A Kill and Quantum of Solace), Thunderball, The Spy Who Loved Me, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, You Only Live Twice, The Man with the Golden Gun, Octopussy and The Living Daylights (short stories).
[Jonathan Cape, London] First Edition Library, Shelton, Connecticut [1953-66] 1980s-90s. [Thrillers] 14 volumes, small octavo (20 x 14 x 41cm). Replica volumes in illustrated dust-wrappers. The complete set in the original pictorial card slip-cases. All books near fine to fine, slipcases lightly handled with light marking etc. Most attractive. Complete..... More
Complete James Bond series comprising Casino Royale, Live and Let Die, Moonraker, Diamonds Are Forever, From Russia With Love, Dr. No, Goldfinger, For Your Eyes Only (short stories inc. From A View To A Kill), Thunderball, The Spy Who loved Me, On Her Majesties Secret Service, You Only Live Twice, The Man with the Golden Gun, Octopussy and The Living Daylights (short stories).
London: Jonathan Cape, 1959-1972. COMPLETE CAPE PRINTINGS. In 14 volumes. Octavo (19 x 38cm). Publisher's hardbacks in original illustrated dust-jackets. All Cape printings (the original publisher of the James Bond novels), four titles (Thunderball, You Only Live Twice, Golden Gun and Octopussy) being first impressions. Overall a very good set..... More
Complete Paperback First Editions of Ian Fleming's James Bond Novels. Comprising: Casino Royale, Live and Let Die, Moonraker, Diamonds Are Forever, From Russia With Love, Dr. No, Goldfinger, For Your Eyes Only (short stories inc. From A View To A Kill, Quantum of Solace), Thunderball, The Spy Who loved Me, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, You Only Live Twice, The Man with the Golden Gun, Octopussy and The Living Daylights (short stories).
London: Pan Books, 1955-1967. [Spy fiction] All paperback First Editions. Fourteen volumes, octavo (18 x 12 x 19cm). Publisher's illustrated softcovers. Live and Let Die being the 'thick' paper variant. All UK printings [Live and Let Die, Dr No, For Your Eyes Only, OHMSS (60c), You Only Live Twice and..... More
Complete Set of First Editions of Ian Fleming's James Bond Novels The Works comprise: Casino Royale, Live and Let Die, Moonraker, Diamonds Are Forever, From Russia With Love, Dr. No, Goldfinger, For Your Eyes Only (short stories containing From A View To A Kill and Quantum of Solace), Thunderball, The Spy Who loved Me, On Her Majesties Secret Service, You Only Live Twice, The Man with the Golden Gun, Octopussy and The Living Daylights.
London: Jonathan Cape, 1953-1966. FIRST IMPRESSIONS, with a leaf SIGNED BY IAN FLEMING included in the first title. 14 volumes. Octavo. Beautifully bound in full deep red oasis morocco with gilt raised bands and gilt titles to spines, '007 device blocked in gilt to upper, gilt edges, black endpapers. Internally..... More
Complete UK Book Club Editions of Ian Fleming's James Bond Novels. Comprising: Live and Let Die, Diamonds Are Forever, From Russia With Love, Dr. No, Goldfinger, For Your Eyes Only (short stories inc. From A View To A Kill, Quantum of Solace), Thunderball, The Spy Who loved Me, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, You Only Live Twice, The Man with the Golden Gun.
London: Foyle [The Book Club], 1956-1966. [James Bond] COMPLETE BOOK CLUB EDITIONS. 11 volumes, octavo (20 x 14 x 26cm). Publisher's hardbacks in illustrated dust-wrappers. Spines toned/browned, some chips and tears. The entire run of the popular British book club editions, which began in 1956 with 'Live and Let Die'..... More
The Diamond Smugglers.
New York: Dell Publishing, 1965. True Crime/Documentary. FIRST DELL PRINTING. Octavo, pp159; [1], advertisement. Publisher's softcovers, all edges tinted green. Pages slightly tanned as expected, slight wear to head of spine else a lovely fine copy. An interesting edition; boldly advertised as the 'First Popular-Priced Edition', rather than the first..... More
The Diamond Smugglers.
New York, NY: Collier Books, 1964. [True Crime/Documentary] FIRST AMERICAN PAPERBACK PRINTING. Octavo (18 x 11cm), pp.124; [4], advertisement. With black and white photographic plates. Publisher's softcovers priced at 95c. A lightly used copy with some mild creasing and wear. Very good indeed. Gilbert A15b (3). More
Diamonds are Forever.
London: Jonathan Cape, 1956. FIRST EDITION, First Impression, Binding A. Octavo, 257 pp. Publisher's black cloth-effect paper over boards, titled in silver, in pictorial dustwrapper designed by Pat Marriott, housed in a quarter leather clamshell box. An ASSOCIATION COPY, formerly belonging to Sefton Delmer, a fellow intelligence agent, journalist colleague..... More
Diamonds are Forever.
London: Jonathan Cape, 1956. FIRST EDITION, Binding B (Type 'B' cloth, designated without priority). Octavo (20 x 14cm), pp.257; [1], blank. Publisher's black cloth titled in silver, with the pictorial dust-jacket designed by Pat Marriott, priced at 12/6. A well-preserved copy, gently handled and with some light rubbing and a...... More
Diamonds are Forever.
London: Jonathan Cape, 1956. FIRST EDITION, Binding B (Type 'B' cloth, designated without priority). Octavo (20 x 14cm), pp.257; [1], blank. Publisher's black cloth titled in silver, with the pictorial dust-jacket designed by Pat Marriott, priced at 12/6. A well-preserved copy, gently handled. A crisp, near fine example in an..... More
Dr No.
London: Jonathan Cape, 1958. FIRST EDITION, FIRST STATE. Octavo (20 x 14cm), pp.256. Publisher's black cloth-effect paper over boards, silver titles to spine, in pictorial dust wrapper designed by Pat Marriott. This binding without the 'Dancing Lady' design to the upper, being the earlier of the two styles. A nice..... More
Dr No.
London: Jonathan Cape, 1957. FIRST EDITION. Octavo (20 x 14cm), pp.256. Publisher's black cloth, silver titles to spine, in pictorial dust-jacket designed by Pat Marriott. The first issue without the 'Dancing Lady' design on the upper board (present on the later issue). Book is clean and bright with some minor..... More
Dr. No.
London: Jonathan Cape, 1958. [James Bond] FIRST EDITION. Octavo (20 x 14cm), pp.256. Publisher's black cloth-effect paper over boards, silver titles to spine, in pictorial dust wrapper designed by Pat Marriott. Second state binding, with the 'Dancing Lady' design to the upper. Edges a little dusty/spotted else a fine copy..... More
Dr. No.
London: Jonathan Cape, 1958. [James Bond] FIRST EDITION. Octavo (20 x 14cm), pp.256. Publisher's black cloth-effect paper over boards, silver titles to spine, in pictorial dust wrapper designed by Pat Marriott priced at 13/6. Second state binding, with the 'Dancing Lady' design to the upper. Edges a little spotted else..... More
Dr. No.
London: Jonathan Cape, 1958. [James Bond] FIRST EDITION. Octavo (20 x 14cm), pp.256. Publisher's black cloth-effect paper over boards, 'Dancing Lady' design to the front cover, silver titles to spine, pictorial dust-wrapper designed by Pat Marriott. Very lightly rubbed/handled. A fine copy in an elegant clamshell box. The first of..... More
For Your Eyes Only (James Bond short stories) Includes 'Quantum of Solace'.
London: Jonathan Cape, 1960. First Impression, Binding A, PRESENTATION copy. Pp.252. Publisher's black cloth-effect paper over boards with eye motif stamped in white to the upper cover, titled in gilt to the spine, in pictorial dust-wrapper illustrated by Richard Chopping. Text block toned, some browning to extremities and spine panel..... More
For Your Eyes Only.
New York, NY: The Viking Press, 1960. FIRST US EDITION. Octavo, pp.218. Publisher's yellow and green cloth in pictorial dust-wrapper illustrated by Richard Chopping. No inscriptions or price-clipping. Dampmark to rear joint and top edge else book is fine. Jacket is lightly rubbed with a few small chips to spine..... More