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What editions of the Fleming novels do you own?

MrBrownMrBrown
edited December 2012 in Literary 007 Posts: 202
The Fleming novels have many, many interesting editions.

I own the Penguin 2006 releases (with those ugly covers). This was my first set. I also have all of the Signet editions from the 60s. I'm now starting to collect the Pan editions from the 50s and 60s. They've got some gorgeous cover art. I only own GOLDFINGER right now.

My ultimate goal is to get a 1st edition, hardcover copy of FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE (published by Cape).

Here are a couple of photos that I've taken:
gf1nn.png
signetbond01.png

Anyone else here collecting Bond novels?
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Comments

  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    I don't have them all (I lack GF and the short stories) but I have most of the Bond novels in the prints they did for Fleming's centenary from 2008 that I purchased a year or two back. I was so come over when I saw then that I was shaking. I searched for them for years.
  • MrBrownMrBrown
    edited December 2012 Posts: 202
    Were they the hardcovers with the girls on front covers?

    jamesbondprints.blogspot__span.jpg
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    edited December 2012 Posts: 28,694
    MrBrown wrote:
    Were they the hardcovers with the girls on front covers?

    jamesbondprints.blogspot__span.jpg
    No, these, the Penguin editions:

    penguin11.jpeg?w=529&h=285

    The cover for LALD makes it a hell of a thing to bring to school to read! ;)
  • MrBrownMrBrown
    edited December 2012 Posts: 202
    0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 wrote:
    No, these, the Penguin editions:

    penguin11.jpeg?w=529&h=285

    Oh, ok. I've got those. I guess the centenary editions have special introductions.
    0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 wrote:
    The cover for LALD makes it a hell of a thing to bring to school to read! ;)

    I bet. If you're based in the US, I'm sure your school administrators wouldn't be fans of the content, either! If they can ban Atticus Finch and Huck Finn in US schools, then I could only imagine what they'd want to do with James Bond.

  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    Who the hell banned To Kill a Mockingbird? Is it for the N word and the way Tom is portrayed in the novel? If so, what hogwash. Atticus's whole court room speech shows the humanity in us all, the equality we should all have, the respect we need to give each other, and outlined the racial hatred of litigation of the time against those of color. If anything, schools should be using Atticus as an example of crusading for the rights of those pushed asunder not because it needed to be done, but because it was right.
  • jetsetwillyjetsetwilly
    Posts: 3,327
    I own all the 1950's hardcopies, and all of the 60's Pan collection.
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    jetsetwilly wrote:
    I own all the 1950's hardcopies, and all of the 60's Pan collection.

    Wow, lucky you! :)
  • jetsetwillyjetsetwilly
    Posts: 3,327
    0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 wrote:
    jetsetwilly wrote:
    I own all the 1950's hardcopies, and all of the 60's Pan collection.

    Wow, lucky you! :)

    My wife doesn't think so. She sees it as unnecessary clutter in our office....... ;)
  • dchantrydchantry
    Posts: 278
    I've bought and sold just about most incarnations of the Fleming novels over the last 30 years, mainly, the 50's, 60's and the 70's.
    The 70's UK books had different types of guns on the cover and a pretty girl in the style of the girl and they were the 1st versions I read so had a soft spot for them.

    I have the odd hardback and a couple 1st editions, but the only real set of books I've actually kept are the Film tie ins from both the UK and the USA where I have complete sets that were available for both.
  • Lancaster007Lancaster007 Shrublands Health Clinic, England
    edited December 2012 Posts: 1,874
    0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 wrote:
    MrBrown wrote:
    Were they the hardcovers with the girls on front covers?

    jamesbondprints.blogspot__span.jpg
    No, these, the Penguin editions:

    penguin11.jpeg?w=529&h=285

    The cover for LALD makes it a hell of a thing to bring to school to read! ;)

    I have all of the British versions of these, and three of the American ones. The American ones are slightly larger page size, and different type font on OHMSS. I'll see if I can upload some images soon.

    Just love that Moonraker cover.
  • JimThompson45JimThompson45
    Posts: 803
    I own several different editions of the Fleming books; lot of the penguin editions, a complete set of the Pan books, and an old Book of the Month set that my parents gave to me when I was a kid.
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    edited December 2012 Posts: 28,694
    Lancaster007 wrote:
    0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 wrote:
    MrBrown wrote:
    Were they the hardcovers with the girls on front covers?

    jamesbondprints.blogspot__span.jpg
    No, these, the Penguin editions:

    penguin11.jpeg?w=529&h=285

    The cover for LALD makes it a hell of a thing to bring to school to read! ;)

    I have all of the British versions of these, and three of the American ones. The American ones are slightly larger page size, and different type font on OHMSS. I'll see if I can upload some images soon.

    Just love that Moonraker cover.

    OHMSS isn't in Melior font? I have the Blofeld trilogy with TB, OHMSS and YOLT in one collection, so I don't know if that is still using the Melior font. I still think it is Penguin who published it though. I will have to check when I get back home from campus.
    jetsetwilly wrote:
    0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 wrote:
    jetsetwilly wrote:
    I own all the 1950's hardcopies, and all of the 60's Pan collection.

    Wow, lucky you! :)

    My wife doesn't think so. She sees it as unnecessary clutter in our office....... ;)

    TO THE BRIG WITH HER! :ar!
  • DarthDimiDarthDimi Behind you!Moderator
    Posts: 24,256
    These. And I like them enough to stick with them. ;-)
  • JimThompson45JimThompson45
    Posts: 803
    DarthDimi wrote:
    These. And I like them enough to stick with them. ;-)
    I've got a boxed set of those sitting on my desk at work. :)

  • myworldisenoughmyworldisenough
    Posts: 1,143
    JimThompson45 wrote:
    DarthDimi wrote:
    These. And I like them enough to stick with them. ;-)
    I've got a boxed set of those sitting on my desk at work. :)

    I've got most of these, very simplistic but also very stylish covers.
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    Fleming's novels deserve some real knockout covers. I hate the "less is more but actually a lot less that you think" covers that most Bond novels get in newer prints.
  • JimThompson45JimThompson45
    Posts: 803
    0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 wrote:
    Fleming's novels deserve some real knockout covers. I hate the "less is more but actually a lot less that you think" covers that most Bond novels get in newer prints.
    Sometimes I agree. On the other hand, one of my all time favorite covers was the paperback edition of License Renewed, and that's pretty simple when one gets right down to it.

  • myworldisenoughmyworldisenough
    Posts: 1,143
    0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 wrote:
    Fleming's novels deserve some real knockout covers. I hate the "less is more but actually a lot less that you think" covers that most Bond novels get in newer prints.

    I see your point and nothing compliments a great read better than a stunning cover that has the eye catching wow factor. I do like the simplistic designs however when they are done with style and the ones that I commented on above I really like.
  • JimThompson45JimThompson45
    Posts: 803
    0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 wrote:
    No, these, the Penguin editions:

    penguin11.jpeg?w=529&h=285

    I love these editions just because of the feel of them in one's hands. Just got a good bookish sensation to them, for me.

  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    edited December 2012 Posts: 28,694
    myworldisenough wrote:
    0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 wrote:
    Fleming's novels deserve some real knockout covers. I hate the "less is more but actually a lot less that you think" covers that most Bond novels get in newer prints.

    I see your point and nothing compliments a great read better than a stunning cover that has the eye catching wow factor. I do like the simplistic designs however when they are done with style and the ones that I commented on above I really like.

    Yeah, sometimes simplistic covers can work, but an espionage masterpiece like Casino Royale deserves a better cover than a few poker chips or something easy like that. I like covers to reflect the story itself instead of arbitrary things that have a faint connection to the novel's plot. That's just me though. That's why I love my centenary editions that I have, because they have the Bond girls on the cover and some items that have a connection or relevance to the plot.
  • myworldisenoughmyworldisenough
    Posts: 1,143
    The centenary editions are arguably the best in a long while.
  • MrBrownMrBrown
    Posts: 202
    0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 wrote:
    Fleming's novels deserve some real knockout covers. I hate the "less is more but actually a lot less that you think" covers that most Bond novels get in newer prints.

    I agree. Nothing today beats the illustrated covers of the 50s and 60s.
    DarthDimi wrote:
    These. And I like them enough to stick with them. ;-)

    I almost won that set on eBay, a few months back. I do enjoy those cover designs.
  • GerardGerard
    edited December 2012 Posts: 6,021
    Here are mine:

    Casino Royale: Plon first edition (a very battered copy, good for the recycling bin) and Vintage photocover edition

    Live and Let Die: Plon first edition, and Vntage photo cover edition

    Moonraker: Livre de Poche

    Diamonds are Forever: Livre de Poche

    From Russia With Love: Plon first edition

    Dr. No:Plon first edition

    Goldfinger: Presses Pocket

    For Your Eyes Only: Plon first edition

    Thunderball: Presses Pocket

    The Spy Who Loved Me: Plon first edition

    On Her Majesty's Secret Service: Plon first edition

    You Only Live Twice: Plon second edition

    The Man with the Golden Gun: Plon first edition

    Octopussy: Plon second edition.

    I alos have the french translations of Thrilling Cities and The Diamond Smugglers (both published in hardcover by Plon).

    Right now, I'm in the process of replacing all my french editions by the english originals, in the Vintage photo cover editions.
  • Lancaster007Lancaster007 Shrublands Health Clinic, England
    Posts: 1,874
    DarthDimi wrote:
    These. And I like them enough to stick with them. ;-)

    Yeah, got those (hardback), a set of the Pan paperbacks from the 70s with the 'still life' photos, a set of the brilliant Richie Fahey Penguin paperbacks, a couple of the Gillette hardbacks (CR and DN) plus FRWL paperback.
    When I first started reading Fleming in the 70s I bought what I could from jumble sales and had various 50s and 60s Pan paperbacks which I gave to the school library as I replaced them with the Pan still life series. Wished I'd kept them all now, still quite happy with the collection that I have.
  • Lancaster007Lancaster007 Shrublands Health Clinic, England
    edited December 2012 Posts: 1,874
    0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 wrote:
    Lancaster007 wrote:
    0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 wrote:
    MrBrown wrote:
    Were they the hardcovers with the girls on front covers?

    jamesbondprints.blogspot__span.jpg
    No, these, the Penguin editions:

    penguin11.jpeg?w=529&h=285

    The cover for LALD makes it a hell of a thing to bring to school to read! ;)

    I have all of the British versions of these, and three of the American ones. The American ones are slightly larger page size, and different type font on OHMSS. I'll see if I can upload some images soon.

    Just love that Moonraker cover.

    OHMSS isn't in Melior font? I have the Blofeld trilogy with TB, OHMSS and YOLT in one collection, so I don't know if that is still using the Melior font. I still think it is Penguin who published it though. I will have to check when I get back home from campus.

    Actually just checked both copies - same font on each, which really took me back, was pretty sure that the American one had a different font! If you google OHMSS paperbacks you can see some with the more curly font - must have seen this before and though that I had one like it. Age is a bugger!

    <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8845924@N04/2311661727/"; title="Penguin 007 paperbacks by bored@work, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2105/2311661727_5b9c0d6526.jpg"; width="500" height="220" alt="Penguin 007 paperbacks"></a>
  • 00130013
    edited December 2012 Posts: 1,817
    Mine are Penguin Edition:

    DSCI0207.jpg

    (My first photo on MI6, thanks to @Major for the technical advice.)
  • RC7RC7
    Posts: 10,512
    I have tonnes of copies of each, most are currently about 200 miles away stored safely in my parents house. I recently purchased a first edition of YOLT with chopping cover and 3rd edition of OHMSS again with chopping cover. I love seeking out random copies in book shops and second hand stores.
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    Lancaster007 wrote:
    0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 wrote:
    Lancaster007 wrote:
    0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 wrote:
    MrBrown wrote:
    Were they the hardcovers with the girls on front covers?

    jamesbondprints.blogspot__span.jpg
    No, these, the Penguin editions:

    penguin11.jpeg?w=529&h=285

    The cover for LALD makes it a hell of a thing to bring to school to read! ;)

    I have all of the British versions of these, and three of the American ones. The American ones are slightly larger page size, and different type font on OHMSS. I'll see if I can upload some images soon.

    Just love that Moonraker cover.

    OHMSS isn't in Melior font? I have the Blofeld trilogy with TB, OHMSS and YOLT in one collection, so I don't know if that is still using the Melior font. I still think it is Penguin who published it though. I will have to check when I get back home from campus.

    Actually just checked both copies - same font on each, which really took me back, was pretty sure that the American one had a different font! If you google OHMSS paperbacks you can see some with the more curly font - must have seen this before and though that I had one like it. Age is a bugger!
    I love using the Melior font. Is it the original font Fleming used or what? I know he used a type writer, but I am not sure if Melior was a type writer font or if there are various fonts depending on the type writer you get.


  • Lancaster007Lancaster007 Shrublands Health Clinic, England
    Posts: 1,874
    0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 wrote:
    Lancaster007 wrote:
    0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 wrote:
    Lancaster007 wrote:
    0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 wrote:
    MrBrown wrote:
    Were they the hardcovers with the girls on front covers?

    jamesbondprints.blogspot__span.jpg
    No, these, the Penguin editions:

    penguin11.jpeg?w=529&h=285

    The cover for LALD makes it a hell of a thing to bring to school to read! ;)

    I have all of the British versions of these, and three of the American ones. The American ones are slightly larger page size, and different type font on OHMSS. I'll see if I can upload some images soon.

    Just love that Moonraker cover.

    OHMSS isn't in Melior font? I have the Blofeld trilogy with TB, OHMSS and YOLT in one collection, so I don't know if that is still using the Melior font. I still think it is Penguin who published it though. I will have to check when I get back home from campus.

    Actually just checked both copies - same font on each, which really took me back, was pretty sure that the American one had a different font! If you google OHMSS paperbacks you can see some with the more curly font - must have seen this before and though that I had one like it. Age is a bugger!
    I love using the Melior font. Is it the original font Fleming used or what? I know he used a type writer, but I am not sure if Melior was a type writer font or if there are various fonts depending on the type writer you get.


    Sorry, might not have made myself clear on this. The font I'm referring to is used as the title on the cover, it's a kind of old English/gothic font, but the other one I've seen is very different.
    A shot of my American paperbacks

    a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8845924@N04/2312770100/"; title="Import 007 Penguins by bored@<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8845924@N04/2312770100/"; title="Import 007 Penguins by bored@work, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2155/2312770100_4e8bda63aa.jpg"; width="500" height="251" alt="Import 007 Penguins"></a>work, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2155/2312770100_4e8bda63aa.jpg"; width="500" height="251" alt="Import 007 Penguins"></a>

    And the version I thought I had!

    <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8845924@N04/8242846870/"; title="images by bored@work, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8202/8242846870_49530a9fc8_s.jpg"; width="75" height="75" alt="images"></a>
  • thelivingroyalethelivingroyale
    edited December 2012 Posts: 12,837
    I have a mismatched set, I don't own them all either.

    The Casino Royale edition I have was released to promote the film, so it has Craig with his bowtie hanging loose on the cover.

    I have the Moonraker that Brady posted (so 2008), the Goldfinger from the opening post and LALD and the Blofeld trilogy are the 2008 editions (so the same as the MR one).
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