007 MAGAZINE - Fact Files | The James Bond novels of Ian Fleming

Perhaps the ultimate in collectible hardcover editions were published by Queen Anne Press to commemorate the Ian Fleming Centenary in 2008. In addition to the complete series of James Bond novels and short stories, Queen Anne Press created a stunning collection which also included deluxe editions of Ian Fleming's The Diamonds Smugglers, Thrilling Cities, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and a volume of collected journalism (also containing two unpublished short stories) entitled Talk Of The Devil. The covers were designed by Webb & Webb Design Ltd.

Queen Anne Press was founded in 1951 to publish limited editions by notable authors, and was managed in its early days by Ian Fleming, creator of James Bond and noted bibliophile. QAP’s manifesto today, continuing in the same tradition, is to produce good books by the best writers to the highest possible standard. QAP specialises in high-quality, one-off editions of a kind rarely found in mainstream publishing. Working in collaboration with Britain’s finest typographers, printers and binders QAP uses traditional methods and materials to ensure that its books look and feel as good books should. They are volumes to treasure – stunning additions to any bookshelf. Not commercially available, these high-quality limited editions are available exclusively from the QAP website.

Ian Fleming - The Complete Works

The complete edition is presented in three different bindings:
Fine Bindings - this distinctive Ian Fleming set of 18 volumes is bound to the highest specification. the leather onlay designs, each of which reflect elements of Fleming's original text, are crafted in vegetable-tanned goatskin and feature exotic details such as diamonds, crystals and pieces of eight.

Other specifications include: hand-sewn head and tail bands, gilt-edged pages and endpapers of handmade light blue paper watermarked ILF. Each book is in a slipcase which is lined, leather-trimmed and has rounded entry with gold-blocking to the rear. The set comes in a back presentation box stamped in gold with the Fleming family crest of a goat's head.

Edition limited to 56: 26 sets are lettered A to Z (no longer available) and 30 sets are lettered according to the Russian alphabet. Price for the set: Ł15,000

A set lettered ‘M’ sold for Ł91,250 at Christie’s 50 Years of James Bond auction on October 5, 2012.


CASINO ROYALE (1953)	LIVE AND LET DIE (1954)

MOONRAKER (1955)	DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER (1956)

FROM RUSSIA, WITH LOVE (1957)	DR. NO (1958)

GOLDFINGER (1959)	FOR YOUR EYES ONLY (1960)

THUNDERBALL (1961)	THE SPY WHO LOVED ME (1962)

ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE (1963)	YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE (1964)

THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN (1965)	OCTOPUSSY (1966)

The Diamonds Smugglers (1957)	Thrilling Cities (1963)

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1964)	Talk Of The Devil (2008)

Vellum Bindings (below left) - A cool, elegant set bound in quarter vellum on black cloth following Fleming's own design for a 1963 limited edition of his eleventh James Bond book ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE.

Other specifications include: titles in red gold, gilt-edge pages, red silk head and tailbands, red handmade embossed endpapers. Each book comes in a lined slipcase with back-foil blocking to the rear. The set of 18 books come in a black presentation box stamped in gold with the Fleming family crest.

100 sets are numbered 001-100. Price for the set: Ł6,000

Ian Fleming The Complete Works Vellum & Cloth Bindings

Cloth Bindings (above right) - This classic version of the Complete Works is bound in dark blue cloth, each book bearing a polished leather plaque to the spine with gold lettering and a border based n Fleming's insignia as a Commander in the Royal Navy.

Specifications include: top-edge gilt pages, specially printed endpapers based on Ian Fleming's own bookplate, and presentation black box. the front board may be stamped with Ian Fleming's initials and dates, I.L.F. 1908 - 2008, or may be personalised with the owner's initials.

250 sets are numbered by Roman numerals I - CCL. Price for the set: Ł2,000

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