16 replies to this topic

[walther]

I had bought a copy of Colonel Sun a few months ago on Ebay. He said it was a 1st ed. It is hardcover, and the published date is 1968. But the funny thing is the fact that I can't find the edition number on the inside. If this is a 1st ed. , how much is it worth if it's in good condition?

[zencat]

If you mean the string of numbers -- 1 2 3 4 5 -- that we see in current books, it doesn't have it because they didn't use that in '68. A first sometimes says "First Edition" on the publication page, but COLONEL SUN says nothing. Then how do you know it's a first? Because a second or later printing will always say "Second Edition" and so fourth. This is the only way you know some of the Fleming's are firsts because it doesn't indicate otherwise on the pub page.

Anyway...

How much is it worth? Depends on condition and and if it has a dust jacket. Typically a UK first in very fine condition and very fine jacket sells for...$50 to $75. (U.S. edition, $30.)

And it should look like this or it's something other than a first.

[walther]

Yep. That's it. It has a dust jacket and everything. I'm a little dissappointed to hear about how much it's worth. I was hoping for somehere over $100. But who cares, I'm not selling it! I got for $31 off of Ebay! Thanks Zencat!

[Qwerty]

They're pretty easy to find on eBay from certain sellers who often sell alot of Fleming books. Found a UK 1st for about $30 if I recall correctly.

[Dr. Noah]

Has anybody ever seen a copy signed by Amis (or "Markham," I guess)?

[Qwerty]

Can't recall seeing a signed copy up for sale, myself.

[Dr. Noah]

I guess it would be weird. Which name do you sign?

[Qwerty]

It's no secret that it was Amis writing the book, but then again I've got a signed copy of The Moneypenny Diaries: Guardian Angel, where Samantha Weinberg signed it under her pseudonym, Kate Westbrook.

[marktmurphy]

I just picked up a 1968 Companion Book Club edition from my local charity shop for £1.50. It's hardback and has a dustjacket of Sun about to torture Bond (whose hand is visible) and is in decent if used condition. Are book club editions a bit rubbish?

[DAN LIGHTER]

I also got the same book club edition you have markmurphy.

Bookclub editions are not very sort after. And worth very little. Some would say they are a bit rubbish yes. But it depends. If you got it for an investment then its bit rubbish. If you got it to read it then it’s not a bit rubbish. It’s a very good book.

[Qwerty]

I also got the same book club edition you have markmurphy.

Bookclub editions are not very sort after. And worth very little. Some would say they are a bit rubbish yes. But it depends. If you got it for an investment then its bit rubbish. If you got it to read it then it’s not a bit rubbish. It’s a very good book.

Logical assessment there, Dan Lighter. I view them as a nice compliment to the original hardbacks for collectors. Relatively easy and cheap to obtain, but they still look good on the shelf next to the others.

[FLEMINGFAN]

Can't recall seeing a signed copy up for sale, myself.

I have a galley proof of it signed both as KINGSLEY AMIS and ROBERT MARKHAM, but no other edition.

[Qwerty]

Can't recall seeing a signed copy up for sale, myself.

I have a galley proof of it signed both as KINGSLEY AMIS and ROBERT MARKHAM, but no other edition.

Very cool, FLEMINGFAN. I imagine that's quite rare indeed.

[spynovelfan]

Can't recall seeing a signed copy up for sale, myself.

I have a galley proof of it signed both as KINGSLEY AMIS and ROBERT MARKHAM, but no other edition.

Interesting! Was it COLONEL SUN by then or still DRAGON ISLAND, out of interest? Any notable differences with the published version?

[Loomis]

I never knew it was originally going to be called DRAGON ISLAND, but it's amazing how much better a title COLONEL SUN is, isn't it?

[DAN LIGHTER]

Colonel Sun works better for me.

If anyone knows of any first uk editions knocking around let me know.

[FLEMINGFAN]

Can't recall seeing a signed copy up for sale, myself.

I have a galley proof of it signed both as KINGSLEY AMIS and ROBERT MARKHAM, but no other edition.

Interesting! Was it COLONEL SUN by then or still DRAGON ISLAND, out of interest? Any notable differences with the published version?

It was COLONEL SUN, since a galley proof is very close to the final edition.

Some of the Ian Fleming uncorrected proofs have differences, but galley proofs are usually nearly final.

Colonel Sun works better for me.

If anyone knows of any first uk editions knocking around let me know.

There were a few that sold on E-bay in the last months (and one that did not). The prices were very reasonable at under US$100.00.

They pop up from time to time, so just keep a lookout for them.

If you need one right away, Abe Books has them, but the prices are a bit higher.