"Everything in the world exists in order to end up as a book"
— Stephan Mallarme
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
The Man With the Golden Gun.
New York: The New American Library, 1965. FIRST US EDITION. Octavo (22 x 14cm), pp.183; [1]. Publisher's hardcovers, stamped in gilt and colours with golden gun motif boldly blocked to all three panels, dust-jacket with die-cut bullet holes to upper. This is the correct binding with the code number gilt-stamped... More about The Man With the Golden Gun
!['Visitor' [From Russia, With Love] contained within 'Now and Then' Magazine. No. 100, Autumn,...](/pictures/thumb/39844.JPG?v=1493310875)
'Visitor' [From Russia, With Love] contained within 'Now and Then' Magazine. No. 100, Autumn, 1957.
London, Jonathan Cape Ltd. 1957. pp.48. Bumper Christmas double number, commemorating 100 issues of this periodical. Magazine format, illustrated, with gold colour covers, lettered in red, white and black. 'The Visitor' is reprinted on pages 43-4, being the opening paragraphs of 'From Russia, With Love' which first appeared within issue... More about 'Visitor' [From Russia, With Love] contained within 'Now and Then' Magazine. No. 100, Autumn, 1957
You Only Live Twice (a James Bond novel)
London: Jonathan Cape. 1964. FIRST EDITION, FIRST STATE, BINDING A. Pp.256. Publisher's black cloth-effect paper over boards with silver titles to spine and Japanese characters in gilt to upper, bamboo patterned endpapers, in original pictorial dustwrapper by Richard Chopping. With 'First Published 1964' on the copyright page. Some edge-spotting else... More about You Only Live Twice (a James Bond novel
You Only Live Twice.
Bath: Chivers Press, New Portway, 1982. [Spy novel] LARGE PRINT EDITION. Octavo (22 x 15cm), pp.[x]; 282; [4], blank. Publisher's burgundy cloth-effect paper over boards with titles to spine, photographic dust-jacket. Page edges toned, ex-library with usual markings and declassification, otherwise a clean copy of a reasonably scarce edition. More about You Only Live Twice
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The Magical Car. Illustrated by John Burningham.
London: Jonathan Cape and Queen Anne Press, 2014. LIMITED EDITION, one of 100 copies only, this set being additionally SIGNED BY THE ARTIST John Burningham to each book. In three volumes, complete. Octavo, pp.48, 48, 48. Publisher's white hardcovers in glossy pictorial dustwrappers. A facsimile of the first edition of... More about Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The Magical Car. Illustrated by John Burningham
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The Magical Car. Illustrated by John Burningham.
London: Jonathan Cape and Queen Anne Press, 2014. Edition limited to 100 copies, this set being one of a few marked 'o/s' [out-of-series]. 3 volumes, tall octavos. Complete. Pp.48, 48, 48. Publisher's white hardcovers in glossy pictorial dust-wrappers. A facsimile of the first edition of Ian Fleming's famous children's story... More about Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The Magical Car. Illustrated by John Burningham
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The Magical Car. Illustrated by John Burningham.
London: Puffin Books, 2008. [Children's Adventure] SIGNED FIRST EDITION THUS, signed by the illustrator. Quarto (26 x 221cm), pp.[8]; 113; [7]. Publisher's red cloth in metallic glossy pictorial dust-wrapper. A fine unused copy, the shiny jacket showing a couple of small scratches. A classic adventure story featuring a high-spirited family... More about Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The Magical Car. Illustrated by John Burningham
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The Magical Car. Illustrated by John Burningham.
London: Puffin Books 2008. Children's book; A classic adventure story featuring a high-spirited family and their magical car. Basis for the Oscar-nominated film musical scripted by Roald Dahl. This is the commemorative hardback released to coincide with the author's centenary year. FIRST EDITION thus. Publisher's red cloth in metallic glossy... More about Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The Magical Car. Illustrated by John Burningham
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 about Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The Magical Car. Illustrated by John Burningham
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 about Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The Magical Car. Illustrated by John Burningham
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 about Berlin Escape [The Living Daylights] contained within 'Intrigue Magazine' November 1965, volume...
!['Berlin Escape' [The Living Daylights] (A James Bond Spy Thriller) contained within 'Argosy'...](/pictures/thumb/39631.JPG?v=1493310872)
'Berlin Escape' [The Living Daylights] (A James Bond Spy Thriller) contained within 'Argosy' magazine for men. Volume 354, Number 6, June 1962.
Ohio and New York: Popular Publications, Incorporated. 1962. Magazine format in pictorial paper wraps. Original price: 50 cents. Minor wear to spine and postal label to upper else fine. The novella is advertised on the front cover and appears on pages 22-4, 95-100, with a full-colour frontispiece illustration by Lou... More about 'Berlin Escape' [The Living Daylights] (A James Bond Spy Thriller) contained within 'Argosy'...
Casino Royale.
London: Jonathan Cape, 1953. [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. Unfortunate owner stamp to pastedown and title else contents very clean; binding a little worn at... More about Casino Royale
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 about Complete James Bond series comprising Casino Royale, Live and Let Die, Moonraker, Diamonds Are...
The Complete James Bond, comprising A James Bond Quartet, A James Bond Quintet and The Essential James Bond. Comprising: (1st Vol): Casino Royale, Live and Let Die, Moonraker, From Russia with Love (2nd Vol): Diamonds are Forever, Doctor No, Goldfinger, For your Eyes Only, The Spy who Loved Me (3rd Vol): Thunderball, On Her Majesty's Service, You Only Live Twice, The Man with the Golden Gun, Octopussy, The Living Daylights.
London: Jonathan Cape Ltd., 1992-3. FIRST EDITIONS thus; three omnibus volumes containing all the original James Bond novels and issued by the original publisher in this new format. Foil-stamped black cloth with pictorial dust-wrappers. Each jacket has original £ price to front flap (unpriced export copies were also produced). These... More about The Complete James Bond, comprising A James Bond Quartet, A James Bond Quintet and The Essential...
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 about Complete UK Book Club Editions of Ian Fleming's James Bond Novels. Comprising: Live and Let Die,...
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 about The Diamond Smugglers
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 about The Diamond Smugglers
Diamonds are Forever
New York: Permabooks 1957. FIRST AMERICAN SOFTCOVER EDITION. Pp.179 + [3] adverts. Paperback. Publisher's illustrated card covers, all edges tinted red. Very good, with associated wear, crease to upper joint (just starting), cheap paper toned as expected. A presentable copy with no inscriptions. Issued uniformly with 'Too Hot to Handle'... More about Diamonds are Forever
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 about Diamonds are Forever
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 about Dr No
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 about Dr No
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. Top edge a little dusty else a fine... More about Dr. No
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 about For Your Eyes Only (James Bond short stories) Includes 'Quantum of Solace'
For Your Eyes Only (James Bond short stories).
London: Jonathan Cape, 1960. [James Bond short stories] FIRST EDITION. First Impression, Binding A. Octavo (19 x 13cm), pp.252. Publisher's black cloth-effect paper over boards, pictorial dust-wrapper, priced-clipped. Page edges dusty/thumbed. Jacket with some edgewear, toned to spine, light soiling. Very good. The first selection of James Bond short stories... More about For Your Eyes Only (James Bond short stories