June 28, 2012

1953 Ian Fleming 'Casino Royale' UK first edition up for grabs


A first edition, first printing copy of Ian Fleming's Casino Royale published by Jonathan Cape in 1953.
This is an incredibly scarce first issue of the first James Bond book.
Casino Royale was first released on 13 April 1953 in the UK as a hardcover edition by publishers Jonathan Cape, priced at 10s, 6d each, with a cover devised by Fleming himself. Just 4,728 copies of Casino Royale were printed, selling out in less than a month.
This is a very good/near fine condition book with only some foxing to the page edge and end-papers. There are no inscriptions inside and the wrapper is unrestored. The wrapper is not price clipped, has no chips and no sunning to the spine. There is some general foxing to the rear panel and a little wear to the top of the spine, but for a first edition like this from almost 60 years ago, the condition is excellent.
It's very rare to find this iconic book in such lovely condition and without restoration - a true collectors' item.
This stunning book comes complete with a custom-made clamshell box.

Rare and first edition books are highly popular amongst experienced collectors and literature lovers. When a book is first released nobody knows if it is going to be a success or critically acclaimed so first edition books would be released in a small print run making them very rare and collectible today. Early books by famous authors can gain thousands at auction. A book that is not a first edition but signed by the author can also gain considerable profit depending on the volume of books signed, with a plain signature being the most profitable.
The habit of building exquisite personal libraries dates back to the Renaissance, when owning a collection of illuminated manuscripts demonstrated one's wealth, erudition and status. The rise of the internet has opened the marketplace for rare and first edition books to a wider audience. A first edition vintage book is an exceedingly good investment that will only appreciate in value if kept in good condition.

Want to know more? Check out the Vintage Seekers website here: http://www.vintageseekers.com/products/1953-ian-fleming-casino-royale-first-uk-edition