It took in not just the well-known books, but memorabilia, film posters, models and even a pair of shoes that once belonged to Roger Moore.
In a March 3 sale held by Batemans (20% buyer’s premium) of Stamford, most lots sold and the bidding was topped at £3300 by a copy of the very first of the Bond books, Casino Royale of 1953. It was a second impression, produced in May of that year after the initial print run of 4728 copies had been shifted within a month.
As the illustration, above, shows, the jacket – which was designed by Ian Fleming himself – is in good condition and has not been price clipped. However, the black cloth shows some fading – almost as if it the book had for some time been shelved without its jacket. Jacketed copies of the first issue have made as much as £24,000 at auction – and inscribed copies yet more.
