Auction of first edition Ian Fleming novels at Bloomsbury on 6th December
01-Dec-2007 • Literary
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Amongst the 33 lots the highlights include a first edition, first issue of the first Bond book, Casino Royale, 1953 (lot 42) with the inscription: To / the power behind / the publishersâ throne! / from / the author / May 1953 (estimated to fetch £18,000-22,000).
Lot 43 will also set pulses racing, Live and Let Die, 1954 was Flemingâs second Bond book and is inscribed: âTo / Donald Crowther / Who Helped with the Coin! / from / The Author / 1954â (estimate £8,000-12,000). Presumably âthe coinâ referred to, is one of those sold illegally by âMr Bigâ in the story.
Other interesting inscriptions include the one in Thunderball,1961 (lot 50) which reads: To / Jack / By Appointment, / M.O. to the SIS! / Ian (SIS being the Secret Intelligence Service) and it carries an estimate of £3,500-4,500.
The next lot, Moonraker of 1955 is estimated £5,000-7,000 and is inscribed: âTo / E.B. Strauss / This âTagebuch eines halbwüchsigen Spiones!â / Ian Fleming / 1955.
The Spy Who Loved Me, 1962, which has an estimate of £3,000-4,000 is inscribed to Leonard Russell, Flemingâs friend and late literary editor of The Sunday Times and is also inscribed by Roger Moore, one of the actors who played Bond (lot 51).
These books are made even more desirable because of their condition, and it is interesting that the inscription âfrom the authorâ, was Flemingâs preferred method of signing his earlier titles.
To be sold by auction on Thursday 6th December 2007 at 11.00am & 1.00pm
Viewing beforehand on:
Tuesday 4th December from 9.30am to 5.30pm
Wednesday 5th December from 9.30am to 8.00pm
Thursday 6th December from 9.30am to 10.30am
Further details or view online at the Bloomsbury Austions website.
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