Bayliss Rare Books are incredibly proud to offer one of the most iconic books in the world of collecting, the first edition of Ian Fleming's magnum opus (or his ‘dreadful oafish opus’ as he once called it) - A truly serious book for the collector.
Casino Royale is the first appearance of James Bond, who as a character has had one of the greatest impacts on society and popular culture. Rather brilliantly, the publishers Jonathan Cape were highly unenthusiastic about Flemings' first book, with even Fleming’s friend, the writer and literary editor William Polmer remarking ‘so far as I can see the element of suspense is completely absent’! Fourteen books and 25 films later, Fleming definitely had the last laugh!
Just over 4000 copies of the first impression were printed, although no more than 3000 were issued in the first state dustjacket (as seen here), the remainder having a favourable Sunday Times review overprinted on the front flap.
"According to the Cape archives, 4,760 sets of sheets of the first printing were delivered, but only 4,728 copies were bound up. Many of these went to public libraries and we believe that less than half of the first printing was sold to the public. The jacket is genuinely rare in fresh condition" (Biondi & Pickard, 40).
First edition, first impression, first state dustjacket. An excellent copy in like dust jacket, not price-clipped. Minor chipping to the extremeties and traces of wear but overall a remarkably fresh example
Published by Jonathan Cape, London, 1953.
