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Last updated 27 OCT 97.

Former British spy and author Ian Fleming was the creator of James Bond, having included the debonair secret agent in over fifteen books and short stories.

Fleming's death in 1964, before the film version of Goldfinger was released, left the manuscript for the novel The Man with the Golden Gun unfinished. Fleming's estate arranged for someone else to finish the novel and it was eventually published in the U.S. in 1966.

The estate attempted to revive the series with Kingsley Amis' 1968 Colonel Sun, but the novel was not well received.

In 1980, Fleming's estate tried again, commissioning Englishman John Gardner to continue Bond's literary presence. The result was 1981's Licence Renewed, an exciting and danger-filled adventure that brought Bond back, with a new gun and a new car.

At the same time Berkely Books began to reprint Fleming's older novels. The jacket cover designs for Fleming's original books included beautiful illustrations and were even considered works of art by some in the publishing world. Unfortunately, the designs for the new Fleming paperbacks released in the 80's were not as exciting.

And in 1997, Raymond Benson took on Ian Fleming's mantle and brought Bond back to his roots. His first book, Zero Minus Ten, was well-received. It remains to be seen how he fares.

Fleming's orginal books are very difficult to find and are now very valuable to Bond collectors. We have a couple of the books' first original paperback printings, some of which are shown here.

Clicking on one of the thumbnails below will open a new window with the full-sized image. After viewing the images, simple close the window and continue browsing.
Casino Royale
by IanFleming

First Macmillian edition published in the U.S. in 1953. Charter July 1987 cover shown.

Live and Let Die
by Ian Fleming

First Macmillian edition published in the U.S. in 1954. Charter July 1987 cover shown.

Moonraker
by Ian Fleming

First Macmillian edition published in the U.S. in 1955. Charter July 1987 cover shown.

Diamonds are Forever
by Ian Fleming

First Macmillian edition published in the U.S. in 1956. Charter July 1987 cover shown.

From Russia, With Love
by Ian Fleming

First Macmillian edition published in the U.S. in 1957. Charter July 1987 cover shown.

Goldfinger
by Ian Fleming

First Macmillian edition published in the U.S. in 1959. Charter July 1987 cover shown.

For Your Eyes Only
collection by Ian Fleming

Charter July 1987 cover shown.

The Spy Who Loved Me
by Ian Fleming

First Viking edition published 1962. Charter July 1987 cover shown.

On Her Majesty's Secret Service
by Ian Fleming

Signet 1963 cover shown (seventh printing).

Colonel Sun
by Robert Markham (Kingsley Amis)

First Hamlyn UK edition published in 1968. HarperPaperbacks February 1993 cover shown.

Licence to Kill
movie adaptation by John Gardner

Charter June 1989 cover shown.

Icebreaker
by John Gardner

First G.P. Putnam edition published April 1983. Charter July 1987 cover shown.

Triple "O" Seven
by Ian R. Jamieson

Mystery Press March 1990 First Edition shown.
Interesting, heh? "Aren't I James' Son??" Hmmm. We'll post a review soon. For now, take a look at the back cover.

GoldenEye
movie adaptation by John Gardner

Boulevard September 1995 cover shown.
Two firsts:
  · First Garder book without Fleming's name on the cover
  · First without a list of Fleming's Bond books inside. In fact, except for the film credits, Ian Fleming's name doesn't appear anywhere!