"Outside of a dog, man's best friend is a book. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read."
— Groucho Marx
Raymond Benson | First Editions
1955
Raymond Benson (born September 6, 1955) is an American author, best known for being an official author of the adult James Bond novels from 1997 to 2003. Benson's other interests include film history and criticism, and designing computer games.In 1984, Benson wrote The James Bond Bedside Companion, a book dedicated to Ian Fleming, the official novels, and the films. The book was nominated for an Edgar Award by Mystery Writers of America, in the 'Best Biographical/Critical Work' category. His love affair with Fleming continued, as he began work on the computer game James Bond 007: A View to a Kill in 1985, following up with Goldfinger, and contibuting to the You Only Live Twice II module of the popular role-playing game, James Bond 007.
When John Gardner stopped writing Bond books in 1996, Glidrose Publications promptly chose Benson to replace him. Intial controversy grew from Benson being American, and for his decision not to pick up on the work Gardner had produced. However, Benson's dedication to book tours in the UK (and occasionally mainland Europe) successfully dampened such concerns. Indeed, the firm were pleased to welcome Benson for a special signing at our previous Kensington address, as we are considered the specialists in both James Bond and his creator, Ian Fleming.
See below our stock of Raymond Benson First Editions, and signed copies.
The James Bond Bedside Companion.
New York, NY: Dodd, Mead, 1988. [James Bond reference book] REVISED EDITION, INSCRIBED ASSOCIATION COPY (first published by Dodd Mead in 1984). Large octavo (29 x 22cm), pp.[xii]; 276; Illustrated throughout. Publisher's silver-coloured card covers. Author's presentation note to flyleaf, to his friend and colleague James Pickard. Contents clean, fine..... More
The Lost Adventures of James Bond.
Mark Edlitz, Printed in the UK by Amazon, 2020. [James Bond reference book] Large octavo (28 x 22cm), pp.425. With photographic illustrations. Bound in illustrated softcovers. Fine. A comprehensive self-published look at various lost, unrealised or forgotten James Bond projects including Timothy Dalton's abandoned third and fourth Bond movies, Roger..... More
Ian Fleming's Felix Leiter in The Hook and The Eye.
London: Ian Fleming Publications Ltd., 2025. [Spy novel] SIGNED FIRST EDITION, first impression. A paperback original. Octavo (20 x 13cm), pp.viii; 318 [10]. Publisher's illustrated softcovers priced at £9.99. Autograph obtained at the book launch party by Fleming bibliograher Jon Gilbert (of this firm); signed by Raymond Benson in his..... More
Ian Fleming's Felix Leiter in The Hook and The Eye.
London: Ian Fleming Publications Ltd., 2025. [Spy novel] FIRST EDITION, first impression. A paperback original. Octavo (20 x 13cm), pp.viii; 318 [10]. Publisher's illustrated softcovers priced at £9.99. A fine, as-new copy. James Bond continuation novelist Raymond Benson's first story featuring 007's trusted ally Felix Leiter as the main protagonist..... More
Zero Minus Ten (a James Bond novel).
London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1997. [Spy novel] FIRST EDITION, first impression, with SIGNED BOOKPLATE. Royal octavo (24 x 16cm), pp.x; 257 [3]. SIGNED by the author on an official Hodder & Stoughton book-plate tucked into the book. Publisher's black cloth with gilt titles to spine. With the dust-jacket. Contents clean..... More
Die Another Day.
London: Hodder and Stoughton, 2002. [James Bond] SIGNED FIRST EDITION, first impression. Octavo (24 x 16cm). The novelisation of the James Bond movie. Publisher's hardcovers, autographed to the dust-wrapper in silver marker. The signature was obtained privately by us—the author did not appear in the UK to promote this, his..... More
Die Another Day.
London: Hodder and Stoughton, 2002. [Spy thriller] LEATHER-BOUND SIGNED FIRST EDITION, first impression. Octavo (24 x 16cm), pp.[8] 245 [3]. SIGNED by the author in black marker to the title page. Recently re-bound in blue half calf, with raised bands, gilt titles to spine, and matching cloth over boards. A...... More
Die Another Day.
London: Hodder and Stoughton, 2002. [James Bond] SIGNED FIRST EDITION, first impression. Octavo (24 x 16cm). The novelisation of the James Bond movie. Publisher's hardcovers, autographed to the dust-wrapper in silver marker. The signature was obtained privately by us—the author did not appear in the UK to promote this, his..... More
Doubleshot.
London: Hodder and Stoughton, 2000. [Spy thriller] FIRST EDITION, ADVANCE COPY. Octavo (24 x 17cm), pp.274. Publisher's cloth with pictorial dust-wrapper. This is a pre-publication review-style copy, with Hodder's press release tucked in, SIGNED by the author above his name. Near fine in a slightly used jacket (press release is..... More
Doubleshot.
London: Hodder and Stoughton, 2000. [James Bond spy thriller] SIGNED FIRST EDITION. Octavo (24 x 17cm), pp.274. Publisher's cloth with pictorial dust-wrapper. The signature was obtained during the book launch event held at our London bookshop. Both the book and the dust-wrapper are fine /as new. Carefully dark stored by..... More
The Facts of Death.
London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1998. [James Bond spy thriller] FIRST EDITION, Octavo (24 x 16cm), pp.274; [2], blank. Publisher's hardcover cloth in illustrated dust-jacket. Clean and fresh throughout. Raymond Benson's second original 007 adventure. Hubin; Crime Fiction IV. Gilbert, Jon; Ian Fleming: The Bibliography, page 613. More
The Facts of Death.
London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1998. [James Bond spy thriller] SIGNED FIRST EDITION, Octavo (24 x 16cm), pp.274; [2], blank. Publisher's hardcover cloth in illustrated dust-jacket. SIGNED by the author in his customary sharpie to the title page. Signature obtained during one of his many book launch events held at our..... More
The Facts of Death.
New York, NY: Putnam, 1998. [Spy novel] FIRST U.S. EDITION. A superb association copy, INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR TO HUGH HEFNER. Octavo (24 x 16cm), pp.260; [2]. Hardcover in jacket. Author's presentation note in his customary sharpie to title page; For / Hef - /... in case you want /..... More
The Facts of Death.
London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1998. [James Bond spy thriller] FIRST EDITION, bibliographer's copy with SIGNED PRESENTATION. Octavo (24 x 16cm), pp.274; [2], blank. Publisher's hardcover cloth in illustrated dust-jacket. Inscribed by the author in his customary sharpie to the title page; For Otto // All Good Wishes / Raymond Benson..... More
The Facts of Death.
London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1998. [James Bond spy thriller] TRIPLE-SIGNED FIRST EDITION, Octavo (24 x 16cm), pp.274; [2], blank. Publisher's hardcover cloth in illustrated dust-jacket. SIGNED by the author in his customary sharpie to the title page. Also, signed to flyleaf by the artist together with his characteristic ink chop..... More
The Facts of Death.
New York, NY: Putnam, 1998. [Spy novel] FIRST U.S. EDITION. Association copy, INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR TO PUBLISHER OTTO PENZLER. Octavo (24 x 16cm), pp.260; [2]. Hardcover in jacket. Author's presentation note in his customary sharpie to title page; For Otto - / Hey Man! / Can you / believe..... More
High Time To Kill.
London: Coronet Books / Hodder and Stoughton, 1999. [Spy thriller] FIRST PAPERBACK EDITION. Octavo (18 x 11cm), pp.294. Publisher's softcovers, illustrated by David Scutt. Edges gently toned, some minor handling. Near fine. High Time To Kill, set in the Himalayas, is the The first 007 novel in 'The Union' trilogy..... More
High Time To Kill.
London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1999. [Spy thriller] FIRST EDITION. Octavo (24 x 17cm), pp.294. Publisher's black cloth with pictorial dust-wrapper priced at £16.99. No ink inscriptions. Contents clean but for some damp-marking to first and final gatherings, and top edge. Covers show splashmark/soiling. Jacket is unmarked/as new. Perfectly usable but..... More
High Time To Kill.
London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1999. [Spy thriller] FIRST EDITION. Octavo (24 x 17cm), pp.294. This copy issued for libraries in plain red cloth, pictorial dust-wrapper priced at £16.99. Library label removed from copyright page, labels removed from endpaper, no stamps within text, jacket is clean having been preserved in a...... More
The James Bond Bedside Companion.
New York, NY: Dodd, Mead, 1984. [James Bond reference book] SIGNED FIRST EDITION, association copy. Large octavo (29 x 22cm), pp.[xiv]; 256; [1], About The Author; [1], blank. Illustrated throughout. Publisher's red softcovers. The hardcover and paperback were issued simultaneously. Inscribed to flyleaf; 'Best Regards // Raymond Benson.' Gently toned..... More
The James Bond Bedside Companion.
New York, NY: Dodd, Mead, 1984. [James Bond reference book] SIGNED FIRST EDITION, association copy. Large octavo (29 x 22cm), pp.[xiv]; 256; [1], About The Author; [1], blank. Illustrated throughout. Publisher's red softcovers. The hardcover and paperback were issued simultaneously. Signed in black marker to book label applied to half..... More
The James Bond Bedside Companion.
New York, NY: Galahad Books, 1986. [James Bond reference book] SIGNED BY THE AUTHOR by way of a bookplate attached. Large octavo (29 x 22cm), pp.[xiv]; 256; [1], About The Author; [1], blank. Illustrated throughout. Publisher's red cloth blocked in black to spine, typographic dust-jacket. Contents clean, no inscriptions. Barely..... More
![Item #65148 [James Bond] Live at Five. In 'TV Guide' Magazine. 13-19 Nov.1999. Raymond BENSON,...](https://harringtonbooks-co-uk.cdn.bibliopolis.com/pictures/65148.jpg?width=320&height=427&fit=bounds&auto=webp&v=1699634804)
[James Bond] Live at Five. In 'TV Guide' Magazine. 13-19 Nov.1999.
USA, 1999. [Short story] SIGNED COPY. Small magazine/digest format, illustrated. Original wrappers, lettered in black, red, and white to front, monochrome photograph of Piece Brosnan to front cover. Near fine. Autographed copies are scarce. Contains the first appearance of the author's third original James Bond story 'Live at Five' by..... More
The Man With The Red Tattoo.
London: Hodder and Stoughton, 2002. [Spy thriller] SIGNED FIRST EDITION, Octavo (24 x 16cm), pp.292; [2], blank. Hardback volume, bound in publisher's cloth with pictorial dust-wrapper. SIGNED by the author in his customary sharpie to title page. The signature was obtained during the book launch event held at our shop..... More
The Man With The Red Tattoo.
New York, NY: Putnam, 2002. [Spy novel] FIRST U.S. EDITION. A superb association copy, INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR TO HUGH HEFNER. Octavo (24 x 16cm), pp.291; [1], blank. Hardcover in jacket. Author's presentation note in his customary sharpie to title page; For / Hef - / keep the faith! //..... More