13 replies to this topic

[zencat]

Here are all the James Bond UK first edition paperbacks spanning 1955 (Casino Royale) to 1979 (James Bond and Moonraker). These are all from my own collection. I thought it might be nice to not only show to the covers of these book, but the backs as well. Notice that the back of Moonraker refers to the filming of Casino Royale? Enjoy.

http://www.thebookbo...paperbacks.html

[thecasinoroyale]

Nice post, thanks for this Zencat!

I have all the first issue copies, my Grandad was a huge James Bond fan and he introduced me to the films, letting me watch one, taking 2 weeks to do when me and my Mum went to visit him and my Gran every week...my first film was 'Licence To Kill' and we had to go right at the part where Sanchez kills Truman Lodge (I know, I had to wait another week to see the last 15 minutes!)

Anyway I digress, I have the issues in a box under my bed, looking very fragile but I love them as a collectors piece. Thanks for the pictures...love the quirkiness of 'James Bond and Moonraker' cover.

[chrisno1]

Nice collection as always, zencat.
Do you have first printings, or are these merely first editions (cover etc)? I have a first printing of TB, but while the covers for my other post 1961 novels are the same as yours, it is often a 2nd, 3rd or 4th printing (oh such was the demand!). I had the same GF edition once but (horror!) gave it away!!! What was I thinking?????

Incidently, wasn't MR etitled for the US market as TOO HOT TO HANDLE? Is there not a paperback with that title? Thought I saw it somewhere. Equally, I thought the US edition of JB, TSWLM had a cover featured the poster from the movie? I saw a copy on the net, must tack it down....

Edited by chrisno1, 23 January 2012 - 01:00 AM.

[zencat]

All true 1st editions except for my Live and Let Die which is from 1957 (but I've never seen an earlier edition, so it's possible it was published out of order and this was the 1st).

Yes, there's a Too Hot To Handle U.S. paperback, and the JB, TSWLM U.S. paperback has movie poster art. This are just UK paperbacks, which is why you don't see them here.

[chrisno1]

You know, I completely mis-read that first post. Of cousre it says UK not US!
And I have not even been drinking!
What was I reading!
Man..............

[zencat]

Better start drinking then!

[David Schofield]

Always thought that the James Bond crouching and shooting on the paperback of COLONEL SUN seen here looked like Lazenby, and was probably based on his gunbarrel.

Would I be right in my suspicion - wasn't Laz the Bond du jour at the time of this paperback edition?

[zencat]

You know, I've always thought the same thing, David. Is that Laz? This book was released in 1969, so...

[Jim]

Magnificently quaint blurbs on the covers of the first half dozen - and something wonderful about promoting Diamonds are Forever with "More terrible than Live and Let Die? Yes".

That comment by Anthony Burgess about the "world of things rather than people" is quite profound.

[jrcjohnny99]

Great stuff as always;
curious to know just how many Bond books you have?
do you have complete sets of al the different printings?
I really need to organize my Bond books; I reckon I have well over 200 but spread across a bunch of boxes throughout my house and garage!

[zencat]

I have A LOT. Couldn't say how many. I have complete sets of most of the different printings, but not all.

[SecretAgentFan]

You have the Penguin Boxset? I bought it at a bargain price a couple of years ago.

[zencat]

The new one? Yeah. Pretty slick.

[doublenoughtspy]

Great report Zen. Thank you too, for showing the back of the books.