"The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read them."
— Mark Twain
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 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] LIMITED EDITION. In three volumes, complete. Octavo (25 x 17cm), pp.48; pp.48; pp.48. Publisher's white hardcovers in glossy pictorial dustwrappers, the three volumes are presented in a racing green slipcase. A facsimile of the first edition of Ian Fleming's famous... 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] 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 about Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The Magical Car. Illustrated by John Burningham
![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 about Berlin Escape [The Living Daylights] contained within 'Intrigue Magazine' November 1965, volume...
![Berlin Escape [The Living Daylights] contained within 'Intrigue Magazine' November 1965, volume...](/pictures/thumb/54622.jpg?v=1567516576)
Berlin Escape [The Living Daylights] contained within 'Intrigue Magazine' November 1965, volume 1, number 2.
New York, NY: Pamar Enterprises, 1965. [James Bond] Digest magazine format (20 x 14cm), pp.143; [1] advertisement, priced at 50c. 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. Inevitable... 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'...
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 Majesties 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 about Complete James Bond First Editions in Facsimile. Comprising Casino Royale, Live and Let Die,...
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...
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 about Complete Set of First Editions of Ian Fleming's James Bond Novels The Works comprise: Casino...
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.
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
Diamonds are Forever.
London: Jonathan Cape, 1956. FIRST EDITION, Binding A (designated without priority). Octavo (20 x 14cm), pp.257; [1]. Publisher's black cloth titled in silver, with the pictorial dust-jacket designed by Pat Marriott, priced at 12/6. Page edges a little toned/marked, jacket a little rubbed with a few small chips and tears;... 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. Edges a little dusty/spotted else a fine copy... 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 priced at 13/6. Second state binding, with the 'Dancing Lady' design to the upper. Edges a little spotted else... 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
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 about For Your Eyes Only
For Your Eyes Only.
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. Contents clean. A near fine copy in similar, price-clipped wrapper, with a little soiling and rubbing to foot of spine, tape reinforcement to... More about For Your Eyes Only
For Your Eyes Only.
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 at 15s. A near fine copy of the book in a very good wrapper with the usual fading to the spine and... More about For Your Eyes Only
For Your Eyes Only.
London: Pan Books, 1962. FIRST UK EDITION in paperback. Octavo (16 x 10cm). 'Great Pan' series G551. Pp.191; [1], advertisement. Publisher's illustrated softcovers with printed price 2/6 to front cover. Minor handling, spine lightly rolled; very good. Gilbert, Jon: Ian Fleming The Bibliography A8a (14.1). More about For Your Eyes Only
From Russia With Love.
London: Jonathan Cape, 1957. [Spy novel] FIRST EDITION, BINDING A. Octavo (19 x 13cm), pp.253; [3], blank. Publisher's black cloth-effect paper over boards, blocked in silver and red metallic foil, pictorial dust-jacket by Richard Chopping. A very good copy in a good, price clipped jacket, rubbed with some tears at... More about From Russia With Love