Ian Fleming book valuations
OPERATION_GRAND_SLAM
Posts: 39MI6 Agent
Hi all,
Struggling with the new layout of the site but hopefully this ends up in the right place.
I've got a few Ian Fleming books that I'm considering moving on and wondered if anyone would have an idea of their value. Some are first editions, others reprints and book club editions. I've had a quick look online and the prices are very wide ranging.
I can post pictures and details if I get replies.
Thanks in advance.
Comments
Yes, please do post pictures and details of the Fleming books you have so that we can see what they look like.
I'd love to see what you have - purelybecause I'm nosey
I'd be rubbish at valuations. There is a member who posted on here: julesburt.
He uploaded online podcasts of short talks about Bond books. He has a very extensive website too. You might want to contact him as he has a lot of experience. I dont know if he's still active, but if you follow his links I think you can find the detail.
OK, I'll post pictures of each book in a separate post to avoid confusion.
The first book, is 'The Man With The Golden Gun'
1st Edition, Jonathan Cape 1965. Good condition with dust jacket. Some discolouration to pages as shown
Dr No. 1st Edition 1958. Book club edition.
On Her Majestys Secret Service
First edition 1963. Book club edition
Diamonds are Forever
1964 reprint
The Spy Who Loved Me
First Edition 1962. Book Club Edition
Dust jacket a bit ripped as shown
Last and certainly least is this rather sad looking copy of Thunderball, Book Club Edition.
No dust jacket and condition isn't great either with some pen marks on the front and back cover.
Nevertheless it is a First Edition 1961.
I've also got a lot of the PAN paperback books, most in good condition as well as these two books here.
I love the first quote on the back of The Book Of Bond !
To be brutally honest, I’ve had those books in better condition and thrown them away...I’m not an expert - or even a decent amateur - but I think only TMWTGG is worth anything...obviously I’ll now be proved wrong 😳
I concur, @Sir Miles. I'm no valuation expert either but I agree that the Cape first edition of TMWTGG is the only one to have significant value out of those books pictured. The Book Club editions are worth a little bit but they'd need to be in good condition with good dust jackets. Of course the DAF 1964 Cape reprint will be worth something too though obviously not as much as the first edition!
Thanks guys. If anyone has an idea of the value of TMWTGG book, I would be interested to know.
There are a few on Ebay, prices range from £50 to £900. Confusing !
The one that I bought from eBay a few years ago cost me £50 and it was in pretty good condition. So anywhere from there upwards would be a good starting price. It'd probably go for a bit more than that nowadays I'd imagine. Of course it all comes down to the condition and how much people want to pay for it in the end analysis.
Yes, prices can vary wildly 😕 although I’d place yours at far lower end of those valuations...
it may only be worth a few bucks, but the Book of Bond would probably be of interest to some folks here. It's one of Kingsley Amis' two Bond-related books, prior to Colonel Sun, and harder to find than the James Bond Dossier
I think the Man with the Golden Pen was the first published Fleming biography, before the official Pearson bio, correct me if I'm wrong. Again, you probably won't get rich selling it, may just be worth a few bucks, but it could also be of interest to some folks here.
Hi Everyone,
First time on the site...
I only collect Fleming books (which also includes Chitty, Chitty Bang Bang, The Diamond Smugglers and Thrilling Cities) but am happy to provide you with some idea of prices. However, I'm reticent to give these in a forum without your permission. I could offer general price guides but this wouldn't help much as they would have such a wide range depending on editions (rarity) and conditions. There are some incredibly rare Pan paperbacks (even scarcer than OHMSS 1st unpriced) that go for practically nothing and mint condition common issues that people are prepared to pay high prices. Drop me a line and I'll do my best.
Cheers
Pete
Hi,
Sorry, will expand a little on the previous post...
For example, as part of the Hawkey Series (Pan), Casino Royale was released in 12 printings from 1963 to 1965, had 27 different variations with current prices ranging from (literally) a few pence to hundreds of pounds...and Hawkey is by far the most numerous series available! I've been thinking of creating a price guide for a while so if there's enough feedback and interest I might give it a go.
Pete
Thanks for your input, yes would be interested to know your ideas of price on the PAN books. I have most of them, will check the editions.
Regards. Steve
I’ve been retired from the used book trade for 8 years but still like to keep up to date with prices of my own collection.
Bond books are highly collectable and prices are consistently on the up for rare items. The condition of the book reflects in those prices.
Unfortunately, 1st edition copies of TMWTGG are not hard to find, and even FINE copies are readily available at around £200. Your copy would struggle to achieve £50, unfortunately, probably only £25.
The Book Club editions, even in FINE condition, would be around £10 each, in the condition yours are in, virtually nothing, I would not have even considered them for placement on valuable shelf space.
The two paperbacks are interesting for collectors of Bond, TMWTGP I used to price at £5-10 and TBOB £15-25 depending on condition.
Speculators often list at high prices on EBay and other sites in the hope that they snare someone in their trap, but a little research will lead you to the going rate of the day.
But ultimately, the price of anything is what someone is prepared to pay, so you may be lucky and get more.
Hi Steve,
No problem. I'd love to start a dialogue regarding your Fleming paperback collection. My wife thinks it's tragic while I'm always happy to spend time with fellow collectors. If you feel more comfortable discussing values privately by all means use my e-mail. For general stuff I'm happy to chat in open forum.
Cheers
Pete