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The 2008 Fleming Centenary Hardbacks, are they collectable so soon?

shamanimalshamanimal
in Literary 007 Posts: 623
Hi guys. I've got a few questions about the 2008 hardback penguin Bonds.

I didn't realise until last night that there were 1st editions that had '2008 Centenary Edition' on the top of the back page, and later versions that said 'first published in ....' on the back. I'd assumed the 14 I'd got were all original 1st editions. Not the case, three haven't got the 2008 wording.

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Still, not too bad, only 3 out of 14. So, whilst I was researching that, I looked on ebay and quite a few of the 2008 ones are going for quite high prices. Some in the hundreds of pounds. I was amazed that they'd become collectable so quick, after only six years. Or is it simply that the sellers are taking a chance and just banging on big prices?

Not that I'd sell them, they're lovely.

Anyone else got some of these hardbacks? If so, do they have '2008 Centenary Edition' or 'First Published in 19**' on the top of the back cover?

Cheers in advance!

Comments

  • SaintMarkSaintMark
    Posts: 7,653
    They are as expensive as the fan wishes to pay for or ask for. Quite a few prices on Ebay are rather exorbitant and have more in common with the wish that they are worth large sums than that they actually are.
  • shamanimalshamanimal
    Posts: 623
    007 In New York is the last story in the Octopussy book, yes.

    I spent ages browsing yesterday looking for a Fleming price guide regarding the books. Anyone know of a website?
    I've also got three original first editions I'd like to know the value of. They're the most common three, YOLT, Octopussy and TMWTGG, but even so, it's been perhaps 10 years since I bought the last one, and they may have increased in value.

    I bought the Centenary set because I saw it as one of the rare times a collector can get a set of hardback Flemings. I think there was a set done in the early 2000's, but they were not nearly as stylish.
  • MrBrownMrBrown
    Posts: 202
    I love these editions. Michael Gillette currently sells prints of his cover artwork for these editions. Worth checking out. They'd probably make excellent holiday gifts.

    I currently own the GOLDFINGER print.

    http://michaelgilletteart.com/
  • 007InVT007InVT Classified
    Posts: 893
    shamanimal wrote: »
    007 In New York is the last story in the Octopussy book, yes.

    I spent ages browsing yesterday looking for a Fleming price guide regarding the books. Anyone know of a website?
    I've also got three original first editions I'd like to know the value of. They're the most common three, YOLT, Octopussy and TMWTGG, but even so, it's been perhaps 10 years since I bought the last one, and they may have increased in value.

    I bought the Centenary set because I saw it as one of the rare times a collector can get a set of hardback Flemings. I think there was a set done in the early 2000's, but they were not nearly as stylish.

    You're best bet is [url="http://www.jamesbondfirsteditions.com "]jamesbondfirsteditions.com [/url]
  • ChevronChevron Northern Ireland
    Posts: 370
    I finally have all 14 of these hardbacks. I bought six of them in 2008 when they were on the Waterstones 3 for 2 offer. Then around 2009-11 I bought another six gradually on amazon from third party sellers when they were dirt cheap. I got the remaining two this year from ebay, ex-library copies. One turned out better than expected but the other one was a bit damaged.

    Well spotted with the different text on the back of the dust jacket. I've checked and it turns out two of mine are second printings, Thunderball and You Only Live Twice.

    It also seems like the 2009 paperback editions with the same covers are sought after as they are listed for silly money from third party sellers on amazon.
  • alantongalantong
    Posts: 11
    The Centenary editions say so on the back of the DW and inside have 1 on a line by itself. The 2nd editions have 2 on the line - dont think there is a 3rd or later.

    Sets seem to sell for about £800 / $1500 in mint condition. Oddly I think they sell for more - say £80 each separately. Perhaps this is because more collectors want to have the odd edition rather than buy a set.
  • ChevronChevron Northern Ireland
    Posts: 370
    While not strictly about the 2008 centenary collection this is related so I'm posting it on this thread.

    Today I've just received the 2008 Penguin hardback of Quantum of Solace, the collection of short stories in one volume. I got it cheaply from an amazon seller and I'm very pleased with the condition it's in.

    However it didn't come with the cardboard wraparound slip. I didn't expect it would have it but I'd still like to get one. Failing that I'd like to maybe print off a paper copy to "simulate" the look of the slip. Can anyone direct me to a good quality scan?

    I must add I'm not trying to pass a fake off as authentic, this is just to make the book look "right" on my shelf. :)
  • alantongalantong
    Posts: 11
    Someone sells replica wrap arounds on ebay (UK) now and again but none for sale at the moment.
  • ChevronChevron Northern Ireland
    Posts: 370
    Ok, thanks for that. I'll keep my eyes open.
  • alantongalantong
    Posts: 11
    There are actually 2 things to check to see if your copies are Centenary editions. The first is as mentioned it says Centenary edition at the top of the back of the dust jacket. Secondly on the copyright page it has a 1 in a line on its own to show first edition. Later copies say 2 - never seen 3 or later.

    I think there were more Centenary jackets printed than books as some 2nd edition books come with 1st edition jackets.

    Prices of these are going up, the artwork is collectable / iconic. Only 4000 copies of each were made and most went to libraries (same as the early Cape editions in both these respects).
  • MajorDSmytheMajorDSmythe "I tolerate this century, but I don't enjoy it."Moderator
    edited February 2015 Posts: 13,978
    I never bought any of these at the time, now i'm regretting it. There's one Ebay listing, for the set, that is asking £1795. Individually they are upwards for £40.

    On the upside, I did find a couple of PBs that I don't have.
  • DrShatterhandDrShatterhand Garden of Death, near Belfast
    Posts: 805
    I was rooting around in the drawers the other day (like you do) and came across a set of postcards of some of the covers to these. I think there are 5 different covers in all. Can't remember if I bought them or if they were given away with something...can anyone shed any light on them?
  • ChevronChevron Northern Ireland
    Posts: 370
    The postcards were given away with the hardback of Devil May Care in Waterstones. At least that's how I got mine.
  • DrShatterhandDrShatterhand Garden of Death, near Belfast
    Posts: 805
    Chevron wrote: »
    The postcards were given away with the hardback of Devil May Care in Waterstones. At least that's how I got mine.


    Ah right, pretty sure I got my copy of DMC at Waterstones so that would explain it. Thanks for clearing up that mystery for me.
  • eddychaputeddychaput Montreal, Canada
    Posts: 364
    We were lucky to enough to get these books in stores here in Canada back in 2008. It is with total embarrassment that I must admit that the only one I don't own is Casino Royale. I'll never forgive myself for not getting around fast enough to buy a copy. Ebay prices are ludicrous for it today.
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