The all too rare first edition, first impression of Ian Fleming’s Casino Royale from 1953, with the even rarer first state dustjacket.
The presence of the first state dust jacket significantly enhances the rarity and value of this first edition. This is one of the most collectible editions of Casino Royale available on the market and as a cornerstone of modern literature, this first edition of Casino Royale is a highly desirable investment, with its value continuing to appreciate as the years roll on.
“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).
A classic of the genre, in Casino Royale, Bond is sent to the French Riviera to confront the sinister Le Chiffre and stop him from winning a high-stakes baccarat game…
Condition Report:
Book Condition: Near Fine to Fine
- Covers: The original black cloth boards are in near-fine condition, with vivid red lettering on the spine and a bright red heart emblem on the front cover.
- Spine: The spine is straight and firm, with no significant fading or creases. The red lettering remains bold and clear.
- Text Block: Internally, the pages are clean and well-preserved, with minimal toning. The text block is tight, with no loose or cracked pages. There is no foxing or staining, and the book has been well-maintained.
- Binding: The binding is strong and intact, showing little signs of wear or damage.
Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine.
- First State Dust Jacket: This edition comes with the original first state dust jacket, as issued by Jonathan Cape in 1953. The jacket is unclipped, retaining the original price of 10s. 6d. net on the front flap.
- Chipping and Wear: The dust jacket has minor chipping at the spine ends and corners, with a small closed tear on the top edge of the front panel. There is light edge wear. The jacket has received no restoration. A lot on the market have which makes this all the rarer,
- Design: The dust jacket, designed by the author, remains bright with its striking red and yellow colour scheme and the iconic gun and playing card motif. The jacket is now housed in a protective cover to preserve its condition.
Simply put this is a stunning, unrestored example and one that would make a showpiece in any serious collection.
