"There is no such thing as a moral or an immoral book. Books are well written, or badly written. "
— Oscar Wilde
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.
London: Boxtree Limited, 1988. [Bond reference book]. The revised and updated edition, being the FIRST UK APPEARANCE of this title. Rare British SIGNED HARDCOVER edition. Large octavo (28 x 22cm), pp.275; [1]. Orange cloth over boards in dust-jacket. Signed by way of a book label to half title. Fine in..... More
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
Die Another Day.
London: Hodder and Stoughton, 2002. [Spy thriller] SIGNED FIRST EDITION. Octavo (24 x 16cm), pp[vi]; 245; [5], blank. Publisher's blue cloth hardcovers lettered in silver to spine, photographic dust-wrapper priced at £18.99. Autographed by Raymond Benson in black ink to the title-page. The signature was obtained privately by us -the..... More
Die Another Day.
London: Hodder and Stoughton, 2002. [James Bond] SIGNED FIRST EDITION. 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 last..... More
Die Another Day.
London: Hodder and Stoughton, 2002. [Spy thriller] FIRST EDITION. Octavo (24 x 16cm), pp[vi]; 245; [5], blank. Publisher's blue cloth hardcovers lettered in silver to the spine, photographic dust-wrapper priced at £18.99. A fine, unread copy. A novelisation of the James Bond movie, based on the screenplay by Neal Purvis..... More
Die Another Day.
London: Hodder and Stoughton, 2002. [James Bond] SIGNED FIRST EDITION. 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 last..... 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] 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 James Bond Bedside Companion.
London: Boxtree Limited, 1988. [James Bond reference book] The revised and updated edition, being the FIRST UK APPEARANCE of this title. Large octavo (28 x 22cm), pp.275; [1]. Glossy softcovers, illustrated throughout. Lightly handled, gift inscription to first leaf; near fine. The author's highly acclaimed first book, originally published in..... 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, 1988. [James Bond reference book] REVISED EDITION, INSCRIBED ASSOCIATION COPY (first published by Dodd Mead in 1984). Large octavo (29 x 22cm), pp.[xii]; 275; [1], blank. Illustrated throughout. Publisher's silver-coloured card covers. Inscribed to flyleaf; 'Best Regards // Raymond Benson.' Contents clean, fine throughout, minor..... More
The James Bond Bedside Companion. With An Introduction by Ernest L. Cuneo.
Seattle: Publishing Online, n.d. [2001]. [James Bond reference book] REISSUE, signed by the author. Large octavo (29 x 22cm), pp.[xii]; 275; [1], blank. Illustrated throughout. Publisher's light blue card covers. Autographed in black ink to the title page. A fine copy. From the collection of Ian Fleming bibliographer Jon Gilbert..... 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=1699634688)
[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
![Item #66271 [James Bond] Live at Five. In 'TV Guide' Magazine. 13-19 Nov.1999. Raymond BENSON,...](https://harringtonbooks-co-uk.cdn.bibliopolis.com/pictures/66271.jpg?width=320&height=427&fit=bounds&auto=webp&v=1701536887)
[James Bond] Live at Five. In 'TV Guide' Magazine. 13-19 Nov.1999.
USA, 1999. [Short story] Small magazine/digest format, illustrated. Original wrappers, lettered in black, red, and white to front, monochrome photograph of Piece Brosnan to front cover. A fine copy. Stated 'The Warner Cable Manhattan Edition' on the front cover, this is a regional variant previously unknown to us. Contains the..... 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
Never Dream of Dying.
London: Hodder and Stoughton, 2001. [Spy novel] FIRST EDITION. Octavo (24 x 16cm), pp.293; [1], advert. SIGNED by the author to the title page. Signature obtained during the book launch event held at our London bookshop. A fine, unread, as-new copy. A James Bond novel; the search for a deadly..... More
The Union Trilogy and Choice of Weapons. Being his complete James Bond novels and short stories.
New York: Pegasus Books, 2008, 2010. [James Bond] Two Omnibus volumes. FIRST EDITIONS, also FIRST APPEARANCE IN BOOK-FORM of the short stories 'Blast From the Past', 'Live at Five', 'Midsummer Night's Doom'. Large octavos, pp.846; 847. Softcover originals in the publisher's illustrated card covers. Both books are fine and unread..... More
The World is Not Enough.
London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1999. [Spy thriller] FIRST EDITION, SIGNED by the author. Octavo (24 x 16cm), pp.274; [2], blank. Publisher's black cloth lettered in silver to backstrip, photographic dust-wrapper priced at £16.99. The signature was obtained during the book launch event held at our shop. A fine/as-new copy, carefully..... More
Ice Cold. Tales of Intrigue from the Cold War.
New York: Hachette / Grand Central Publishing, 2014. [Spy novel] FIRST EDITION, MULTI-SIGNED. Octavo (22 x 15cm), pp.x; [2]; 384; [4], blank. Publisher's blue and cream hardcover in illustrated dust-jacket priced at $25.00 to front flap. A fine copy. A first printing signed by both editors (who also provide a...... More
Tomorrow Never Dies.
London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1997. [Spy thriller] FIRST EDITION. Octavo (24 x 16cm), pp.213. With SIGNED bookplate. The standard hardcover edition, with cover photo of Pierce Brosnan as James Bond and only Bruce Fierstein listed as scriptwriter (a rare variant exists with four writers credited). Published simultaneously with the mass-market..... More
Die Another Day.
Hodder & Stoughton, 2002. Octavo. Original blue boards, spine lettered in silver. With dust jacket. A fine copy. First edition, first impression, signed by the author and cast members who starred in the film. This copy is signed by Samantha Bond, Judi Dench, Rosamund Pike and Rick Yune on the..... More
DoubleShot.
G. P. Putnam's Sons, 2000. Octavo. Original green wrappers, lettered in black. A near-fine copy, with minor creasing and marking to wrappers, fading to spine. Uncorrected proof copy of the first US edition, published simultaneously in the UK. No proof copies were issued in the UK for any of Benson's..... More
High Time to Kill.
G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1999. Octavo. Original blue wrappers, printed in black. A fine copy. Uncorrected proof copy of the first US edition, published simultaneously in the UK. This is one of the more elusive Benson items: no proof copies were issued in the UK for any of Benson's James..... More
"Live at Five", in TV Guide.
United Video Satellite Group, 1999. Small octavo-sized magazine. Original illustrated wrappers, lettered in black, red, and white to front, monochrome photograph of Piece Brosnan to front cover. A near fine copy. First edition of the 13-19 November 1999 issue of TV Guide, signed by the author. This issue contains the..... More