"If one cannot enjoy reading a book over and over again, there is no use in reading it at all. "
— Oscar Wilde
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
Octopussy and the Living Daylights.
London: Jonathan Cape, 1966. UNCORRECTED PROOF copy of the first edition. In printed green wrappers and the pictorial dust-jacket which differs considerably to the published version. The text features some significant differences within the preliminaries leaves, plus literals and minor variations throughout. An attractive copy housed in a custom-made leather..... More
Octopussy and The Living Daylights.
London: Jonathan Cape, 1966. [James Bond Short Stories] FIRST EDITION, third issue. Octavo (20 x 14cm), pp.95; [1]. Publisher's dark brown cloth with silver titles to spine and upper board. With the colour-illustrated dust-jacket by Richard Chopping, repriced by the publisher to 16s / 80p with a sticker on the..... More
Octopussy.
New York, NY: Signet Books, July 1967. The true first paperback edition, as advertised on the cover 'Never Before in Paperback'. The UK Pan edition was published simultaneously (Gilbert, p.463). Signet Books' series P3200 (being the second issue). Octavo (16 x 10cm), pp.126; [2], advertisements. Publisher's illustrated softcovers with original..... More
On Her Majesty's Secret Service.
London: Jonathan Cape, 1963. [Spy novel] FIRST EDITION, SIGNED PRESENTATION COPY. Octavo (19 x 13cm), pp.288. Publisher's dark grey cloth-effect paper over boards with silver titles to spine, in original jacket designed by Richard Chopping, priced at 16s. Inscribed by the author to his close friend John Hayward; "To John..... More
'The Perplexing Date Line' contained within 'Holiday' magazine. Vol 28, No.5, November 1960
Philadelphia, Curtis Publishing Co. 1960. pp.226 Price 60cents. Magazine format, colour illustrated covers. Some creasing/edgewear. Very good. Contains the first appearance of this Ian Fleming article, being the original full-length essay; it was cut and re-named 'Honolulu' when published as the fourth chapter of 'Thrilling Cities' (November 1963). More
Quantum of Solace. The Complete James Bond Short Stories.
London: Penguin 007, 2008. [Spy fiction] FIRST EDITION. Octavo (18 x 14cm), pp.301, with an introduction by the respected Bond authority Henry Chancellor. In the prize-winning binding of silver-grey cloth with a silenced Walther PPK motif to upper, burgundy endpapers. Complete with the wraparound sleeve, which is gummed together at..... More
!['Russians Make Mistakes Too' [Soviet Espionage] contained within 'Esquire' magazine. Volume LIV,...](/pictures/thumb/53057.jpg?v=1554910428)
'Russians Make Mistakes Too' [Soviet Espionage] contained within 'Esquire' magazine. Volume LIV, No.5, November 1960.
New York: Arnold Gingrich / Esquire, 1960. Magazine format in pictorial paper wraps. Original price: 35 cents. Minor wear else fine. This 4-page story appears on p.96, as part of Esquire's 'Handbook for Professional Spies'. Some handling, spine with some expected wear. Very good. The first appearance of this essay..... More
The Spy Who Loved Me.
London: Jonathan Cape, 1964. [Spy thriller] Sixth impression. Crown Octavo (21 x 13cm), pp.221. Publisher's cloth-effect paper over boards with scarlet endpapers in the correct dust-wrapper for this printing, illustrated by Richard Chopping. Trivial handling, a little toning to both edges and jacket; near fine. This was the final Cape..... More
The Spy Who Loved Me.
London: Jonathan Cape, 1962. FIRST EDITION, State A. Crown Octavo (21 x 13cm), pp.221. Publisher's cloth-effect paper over boards with scarlet endpapers in pictorial dust-jacket illustrated by Richard Chopping, priced at 15s. Very good indeed in similar wrapper, with a 5mm tear at the crown. The tenth book in the..... More
The Spy Who Loved Me.
London: Jonathan Cape, 1962. FIRST EDITION, State A. Crown Octavo (21 x 13cm), pp.221. Publisher's cloth-effect paper over boards with scarlet endpapers in pictorial dust-jacket illustrated by Richard Chopping, priced at 15s. Contents clean, page edges toned, small tear to crown, jacket a little creased and soiled. A very good..... More
The Spy Who Loved Me.
London: Jonathan Cape, 1962. FIRST EDITION, State A. Crown Octavo (21 x 13cm), pp.221. Publisher's cloth-effect paper over boards with scarlet endpapers in pictorial dust-jacket illustrated by Richard Chopping, priced at 15s. Splash to top edge; a used copy in a soiled and stained slightly short wrapper. More
Thrilling Cities. With an Introduction by Jan Morris.
London: Ian Fleming Publications Limited, 2009. [Travel book] FIRST EDITION thus, with a new introduction from the respected travel writer Jan Morris, CBE. Octavo (21 x 14cm), pp.246. Publisher's green cloth hardcovers titled in silver to spine, grey endpapers, pictorial dust-wrapper. A fine/as new copy. A fine limited re-issue, being..... More
Thunderball.
London: Jonathan Cape, 1961. [Spy thriller] FIRST EDITION. Octavo (19 x 13cm), pp.254. Publisher's cloth-effect paper over boards with embossed skeleton hand design to upper board, gilt titles to spine. In dust-wrapper illustrated by Richard Chopping. A very lightly used copy with a splash to top edge, jacket with a...... More
Thunderball.
London: Jonathan Cape, 1961. [Spy thriller] FIRST EDITION. Octavo (19 x 13cm), pp.254. Publisher's cloth-effect paper over boards with embossed skeleton hand design to upper board, gilt titles to spine. In dust-wrapper illustrated by Richard Chopping. A clean, fine copy of the book in an outstanding wrapper. Housed in a...... More
Too Hot to Handle (Moonraker).
New York, NY: Perma Books, 1957. FIRST PRINTING. Paperback (17 x 11cm), pp.125; [1] advertisement. Publisher's illustrated card covers, all edges tinted red. Some very light rubbing and a couple of creases to corners otherwise a clean bright copy of a fragile book, housed in a custom-made gilt-titled cloth chemise..... More
'Where Shall John Go? -Jamaica' contained within 'Horizon' Magazine. Edited by Cyril Connolly Vol.16, No.96, December 1947.
London: Horizon, 2 Lansdowne Terrace, London WC1. Printed at the Curwen Press. 1947. Price 2s 6d. Magazine format, printed covers. Contains the first appearance of Fleming's article on Jamaica, issued as the thirteenth part of a travel series run by Horizon, which was later expanded and collected in book-form as..... More
You Only Live Twice.
London: Jonathan Cape, 1964. [Spy novel] FIRST EDITION, First State, Binding A. Octavo (20 x 14cm), 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 dust-wrapper by Richard Chopping. With 'First Published 1964' on..... More
You Only Live Twice.
London: Jonathan Cape, 1964. [Spy novel] FIRST EDITION, First State, Binding A. Octavo (20 x 14cm), 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. With the dust-jacket illustrated by Richard Chopping, priced at 16s. Light spotting..... More
You Only Live Twice.
Toronto: Pan Books, 1965. The FIRST Pan paperback edition, Canadian Printing. Series No.X434. Octavo (18 x 11cm), pp.191; [1], blank. Publisher's photographic softcovers with original price 60c to upper panel. Usual toning to cheap paperstock, covers clean, spine a little rubbed; near fine. Not to be confused with UK export..... More
You Only Live Twice. (a James Bond novel).
London: Jonathan Cape, 1964 [actually issued late 1963]. UNCORRECTED PROOF copy of the first edition. In printed green wrappers and the pictorial dust-jacket, stamped 'Proof Only' etc. on inside front flap, with minor variations to the blurb on rear flap over the published version. An attractive copy, preserved in an..... More
Casino Royale.
London: Jonathan Cape, 1953. FIRST EDITION. 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. Owner name 'Bray' to flyleaf (Hilary Bray was Bond's alias in the novel On Her Majesty's Secret Service), page edges..... More
Casino Royale.
London: Jonathan Cape, 1957. Fourth printing [New Edition]. Octavo (20 x 13cm), pp.218; [2], blank. Publisher's black cloth-effect paper over boards with red titles and 'Heart' design to upper, pictorial green 'playing card' dust-wrapper illustrated by Pat Marriott (uncredited on this impression), priced at 13/6 (many are price clipped). Book..... More
The Centenary Edition of Ian Fleming's James Bond Novels. [Set of works / 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 Majesties Secret Service, You Only Live Twice, The Man with the Golden Gun, and Octopussy with The Living Daylights (short stories)].
London: Penguin 007, 2008. [Spy novels] All FIRST IMPRESSIONS. Fourteen volumes, octavo (23 x 15 x 42cm). Bound in original silver-stamped black cloth in striking dust-jackets with 'retro' style artwork by Michael Gillette. All volumes as new, housed in a custom-made cloth slipcase with fleece lining and ribbon pulls. A...... More
The Centenary Edition of Ian Fleming's James Bond Novels. [Set of works / 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 Majesties Secret Service, You Only Live Twice, The Man with the Golden Gun, and Octopussy with The Living Daylights (short stories)].
London: Penguin 007, 2008. [Spy novels] All FIRST IMPRESSIONS. Fourteen volumes, octavo (23 x 15 x 42cm). Bound in original silver-stamped black cloth in striking dust-jackets with 'retro' style artwork by Michael Gillette. A nearly-new set, with some trivial wear to a couple of crowns. A fine set, housed in..... More
Dr. No.
London: Pan Books Ltd. 1960. The first Pan paperback edition. 'Great Pan' series G335. Pp.189 + 3 (adverts). Publisher's illustrated softcovers with original price 2/6 to upper panel. Pages tanned as usual, some spine roll from reading, minor wear. A very good copy, provided with a protective clear plastic jacket..... More