There's some amazing stuff currently for sale. And when I say amazing, I mean expensive. Here's our pick of what you might need to rob a bank to buy:
We've all seen Fleming-signed books for sale, some with inscriptions, some more presentation copies. For many these are the zenith of someone’s collection..
But there's a small but significant selection of other Bond books that are out there at the moment which - for some - will eclipse the normal fare of rare or signed tomes.
Beware though, you need deep pockets.
Here's some of my top picks of the best 'Bond book porn' out there right now... (PS our books will cost you considerably less!)
The signed 'Golden Gun'
Could this The Man With The Golden Gun (pictured above) be the most pimped-up copy (ever), of this elusive book?
Already rare (by virtue of it being one of the just 940 featuring the ‘Golden Gun’ to the front board), this example then takes things to another level, by being signed on the title page by all four of the main actors in the EON Bond movie of the same name.
Featured signatures include James Bond himself – Sir Roger Moore – as well as the titular villain Christopher Lee (who played Scaramanga); plus the autographs of ‘Bond girls’ Maud Adams and Britt Eckland.
Coming hot on the heels of my recent blog on actor-signed Bond books, this example will no doubt divide opinion.
Not only does the film bare no resemblance to the book at all, but many might baulk at the choice of this particular book used as the signing vehicle – one of the irreplaceable ‘Golden Gun’ to boards books.
I personally think this ultra-rare book has been devalued by having these actor signatures adorn it.
There were 81,000 other first impressions that could have been used – and if it were on one of these, I wouldn’t be so bothered. But using a ‘Golden Gun’ board book! I do wonder…
Different people will – of course – have their own opinion. But I’m definitely in the camp that this particular choice of signing book was not a good one.
The seller wants £12,500 – or ‘no silly offers’.
It’s on ebay right now if anyone wants a closer look!
2. The full set, plus Live and Let Die: 'Cubby' Broccoli-signed
As complete sets go, this one (above) is pretty decent.
It's being offered by Raptis Rare books - and a'hem, costs £100,000.
But this set of books doesn’t just arrive in all first-state jackets, housed in custom half morocco clamshell boxes made by the Harcourt Bindery, it comes with what Q might call an additional extra.
Live and Let Die is signed by non other than Albert ('Cubby') Broccoli – legendary producer of many of the James Bond films – including Live and Let Die.
Again, because it’s signed by someone external to the book, it’s not my personal cup of tea, but no-one can doubt its rarity, and significance, and film aficionados who love the books might just see this as more than acceptable.
The jacket conditions are not the best I’ve seen, but it is a full set, with a stand-out book for some.
You can check it out now at Raptis Rare Books.
3. The set 'to end all sets'?
There’s complete sets of James Bond Books, and then there’s ‘complete sets’ – and this is the latter!
This collection is quite possibly one of the most expensive complete sets of books I’ve ever seen.
Formerly belonging to Leslie Bricusse OBE – lyricist on Goldfinger and You Only Live Twice – this set demonstrates unrivaled inscriptions and signatures of all the people he had access to.
This ‘all’ first-edition set feature signatures of Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Shirley Bassey, John Barry and a host of others.
Live and Let Die features the inscription: “Yes Leslie I was J.B., love, Roger Moore,” as well as the signatures of Guy Hamilton (director of the movie of the same name), and Madeline Smith (Miss Caruso).
Moonraker is inscribed: “Leslie - We made this in Paris - Venice, et al! Love Roger Moore" and signed by Lewis Gilbert (Director), Ken Adam (production design), John Barry (composer), and Shirley Bassey (singer of the title song).
Diamonds are Forever, From Russia With Love, Dr No and Goldfinger are all signed by Sean Connery and John Barry, while Diamonds Are Forever also includes the signatures of set designer, Ken Adam, and Shirley Bassey.
Goldfinger is spectacularly adorned by a host of other signatures too – Shirley Eaton (Jill Masterson); Burt Kwouk (Mr Ling), Shirley Bassey also, as well as Honour Blackman, Guy Hamilton and some of the Flying Circus actors.
Thunderball is signed by Connery, Adam and Barry, while For Your Eyes Only has Roger Moore writing: “Leslie - I cannot remember which number this one was - I do know that I was 007!, Roger Moore,” plus the signature of director John Glenn.
The Spy Who Loved Me is a pure delight, featuring the inscriptions: "Leslie - I think this was my best Bond! Roger Moore"; "My best Bond! Lewis Gilbert" (director), "My best stunt! John Glen (parachute jump!)" (2nd unit director); "Nobody does it better. For Lesley, Caroline Munro, x as Naomi 007", and "best wishes, Ken Adam."
All the other books are signed by the all of the significant actor/director players, with some intriguing ones that particularly caught my eye. These include:
· On Her Majesty’s Secret Service comprises one of the limited edition ones (one of the 35 presentation copies, signed by Fleming himself) – but it is also signed by John Barry.
· The Man With The Golden Gun – also a first state (Gold Gun to boards) example – this time Moore writes: “Leslie - My signature should put the value down! Love, Roger Moore."
· Octopussy & The Living Daylights with a fantastic inscription by Moore: “Leslie - I was in the former - Get T. Dalton for the latter! Roger Moore.”
And the price for this stunning set? It sound better if you just whisper it: $325,000!
It’s currently up for sale at David Brass Rare Books.
4. Ian Fleming's manuscript notebook, including material used in You Only Live Twice
Described as "one of the very last pieces of significant Fleming manuscript material outside the Lilly Library's Fleming collection," is this 1961 notebook, written-in by Fleming when he visited Japan in the same year.
Along with hotel and restaurant addresses, phone numbers, and simple Japanese phrases, the notebook contains several longer prose passages, including several that would eventually form the basis of episodes in You Only Live Twice.
Other passages include philosophical jottings on the people and culture of Japan.
It's advertised price is - wait for it: £95,000. Available to view online here:
5. The 'rival' rebind set!
Some of you might have seen these books before, and credit where it’s due, they look pretty nice – being very similar (in look) to the rebinds being created by yours-truly – jamesbondfirsteditions.co.uk.
This complete set of first editions – bound in black morocco by the Chelsea Bindery – are decorated with pictorial title blocks copied from the original covers to faithfully reproduce the spine and boards in gilt/foil.
The page block ends are also silver-edged.
They've not got the dust-jacket designs replicated like the ones we produce do, but all these books have red end-papers, and the books are stored in an elegant-looking single slipcase/box.
For sale through Peter Harrington, priced at £37,500.
6. To Fleming's old flame...
There are other inscribed Casino Royale's out there, but this example, from John Atkinson Books, arguably trumps them all.
It is signed and inscribed to Lisl Popper (then Lisa Jokl) - who Fleming first met in Kitzbuhel in Austria in 1926. She was eight years older than Fleming, and worked in a local cafe. Described as a “plain-looking Jewish girl”, she and her friends first spotted young Fleming when he walked into their cafe and ordered coffee.
They were lovers and life-time friends.
It is perhaps no coincidence that the female character in the fifth short story in For Your Eyes Only is named Lisl Baum.
It is described by Atkinson as an "extremely important association copy."
It's up for sale right now. Priced at: £125,000.
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