Bond Books
Smoke_13
Kitchener Ont CanadaPosts: 285MI6 Agent
The idea of collecting the original set of Flemings books crossed my mind the other day. I have the whole set of re-release books but I would like to get the set when it was originally released.
A couple questions for the group...
1) Do I have a snow ball's chance in Hades of accomplishing this task?
2) What kind of money am I looking at dropping if I do get into this?
3) Where are some of the best places to go to start my search?
Thanks to all in advance for the help.
Smoke
A couple questions for the group...
1) Do I have a snow ball's chance in Hades of accomplishing this task?
2) What kind of money am I looking at dropping if I do get into this?
3) Where are some of the best places to go to start my search?
Thanks to all in advance for the help.
Smoke
Comments
Depends on what you are after. Do you want first editions, American firsts, paperback firsts, American papaerback first? Do you want original Jonathan Cape's but not firsts. The values can vary widely.
DG
"People sleep peacefully in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." Richard Grenier after George Orwell, Washington Times 1993.
I would want first editions I think. This business about american firsts and what not has me a bit concerned. How can I tell what is what out there? Are there any links you can recommend that can lay it out for me in black and white so I can tell the difference?
For example, one of my favorite, Dan Brown's Hardback "Digital Fortress" first edition, first print - $400 up
Subsequent print runs or hardback edition $ 2
A few years back there was an FEL collection - First Edition Library. These are near exact copies of the first editions - a complete set can be had on Ebay at about $1000.
Bond’s Beretta
The Handguns of Ian Fleming's James Bond
Well, be prepared to spend a small fortune. Some of the later Fleming firsts like YOLT are still affordable, but the first three; Casino Royale, Live and Let Die and Moonraker will cost you thousands of dollars.
I have purchased books from all the spectrums. I have Cape Firsts, American Firsts, American paperback firsts, Signet Firsts. A noted Bond book expert James M. Pickard started out years ago with a newsletter called Goldeneye Books. That name seems to have been appropriated by someone else these days. However, Mr. Pickard is still around and has his website here:
http://www.jamesmpickard.com/
He has branched out to more than Fleming/Bondiana, but he is still an expert on Fleming firsts. I have purchased a number of books from him over the years. One of my favorites is the American paperback first of Casino Royale, which was re-titled "You Asked For It" for the American market. The cover art shows a Bond with a striking resemblance to Connery!
If you search under "Fleming" on Pickard's site, you will find various articles on collecting Fleming as well as valuations. Enjoy.
DG
"People sleep peacefully in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." Richard Grenier after George Orwell, Washington Times 1993.