Items Similar to Diamonds Are Forever by Ian Fleming, First Edition, 1956
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 10
Diamonds Are Forever by Ian Fleming, First Edition, 1956
About the Item
Fleming, Ian. Diamonds are Forever. London: Jonathan Cape, 1956. First edition, first printing. Octavo. Rebound in full black calf leather, with diamond stamped boards, gilt tooling, gilt titles, and raised bands to spine, and a spectacular quarter leather clamshell case.
This is the first edition, first printing of Ian Fleming’s fourth James Bond novel, Diamonds are Forever. The book was published by Jonathan Cape in London on March 26, 1956. The book tracks 007 as he infiltrates the deadly world of diamond smuggling, tracking smugglers from Sierra Leone to the United States. Fleming wrote the story at his Goldeneye estate in Jamaica, inspired by a Sunday Times article on diamond smuggling.
As with the three previous Bond books, the first edition of 12,500 copies sold out quickly. The novel was serialized in The Daily Express newspaper in April 1956 onwards. It was the first novel Fleming sold to the newspaper, a decision that led to an overall rise in the novel’s sales. Book sales were also assisted by the press in November 1956, following the visit of Prime Minister Sir Anthony Eden to Fleming's Goldeneye estate to recuperate following the Suez Crisis. In 1971, Diamonds Are Forever was produced for the big screen, starring Sean Connery and Guy Hamilton.
Ian Fleming (1908–1964) was an intelligence officer, journalist, and creator of the fictional British Secret service agent James Bond. Beginning in 1939 he served as a liaison between the Navy and the other secret services, where he was privy to the highest levels of intelligence and became known for his creativity in planning operations, work that inspired his later novels.
After the war, Fleming became a journalist and in 1953 published his first James Bond novel, Casino Royale. It was a success, and Fleming wrote a new book each year until his untimely death in 1964.
CONDITION:
A stunning "one off" Bond collectible. The book is in very good condition. First edition, first printing with "First published 1956" on copyright page, "Boofy" on page 134 and "Beverley Hills" on page 206. Pages have light foxing on the first few pages, but are clean throughout the rest of the book.
Octavo printing. Rebound in full black calf leather with diamond stamps to boards, a silver embossed diamond at center of the front board, gilt tooling, gilt titles, and raised bands to spines, and new endpapers.
The book is housed in a matching quarter calf leather and black cloth clamshell case. Clamshell’s spine has raised bands, gilt tooling, and gilt titles. The front of the clamshell features an inlaid print of the original Diamonds are Forever dust jacket art. The interior of the clamshell has an embossed facsimile Ian Fleming signature stamp.
Book dimensions: 7 3/4" H x 5 3/8" W x 1 1/4" D
With clamshell: 9" H x 6 1/2" W x 1 7/8" D.
- Creator:Ian Fleming (Author)
- Dimensions:Height: 9 in (22.86 cm)Width: 6.5 in (16.51 cm)Depth: 1.88 in (4.78 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1956
- Condition:Additions or alterations made to the original: Rebound in full black calf leather with diamond stamps to boards, a silver embossed diamond on front board, gilt tooling and titles, raised bands, and new endpapers. Archival matching clamshell. By Felton Bookbinding Ltd. in Canada in August of 2022. Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Colorado Springs, CO
- Reference Number:
Ian Fleming
Ian Fleming was an intelligence officer, journalist and creator of the fictional British Secret service agent James Bond. Fleming was born in Green Street in London, on May 28, 1908. Beginning in 1939, he served as a liaison between the Navy and the other secret services, where he was privy to the highest levels of intelligence and became known for his creativity in planning operations, work that inspired his later novels. After the war, Fleming became a journalist and in 1953 published his first James Bond novel, Casino Royale. It was a success and Fleming wrote a new book each year until his untimely death on August 12, 1964, in Canterbury.
About the Seller
4.9
Platinum Seller
These expertly vetted sellers are 1stDibs' most experienced sellers and are rated highest by our customers.
Established in 2010
1stDibs seller since 2011
407 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: <1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Colorado Springs, CO
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 10 days of delivery.
More From This SellerView All
- Diamond Smugglers by Ian Fleming, First Edition, in Dust Jacket, 1957By Ian FlemingLocated in Colorado Springs, COFleming, Ian. The Diamond Smugglers. London: Jonathan Cape, 1957. Octavo. First edition, first impression. In the original dust jacket and original black cloth-textured boards. Prese...Category
Vintage 1950s American Books
MaterialsPaper
- From Russia, With Love by Ian Fleming, First Edition, 1957By Ian FlemingLocated in Colorado Springs, COFleming, Ian. From Russia, With Love. London: Jonathan Cape, 1957. First edition. Octavo. Rebound in full black calf leather, with custom gilt and red gun and rose embossed stamp to front, gilt tooling and titles to spine, and matching black quarter leather and red cloth archival clamshell. Presented is the first edition of Ian Fleming...Category
Vintage 1950s English Books
MaterialsPaper
- The Spy Who Loved Me by Ian Fleming, First Edition in Original Dust Jacket, 1962By Ian FlemingLocated in Colorado Springs, COFleming, Ian. The Spy Who Loved Me. London: Jonathan Cape, 1962. First edition, first printing. Octavo. Presented in the publisher's original dust jacket and original black cloth boa...Category
Vintage 1960s English Mid-Century Modern Books
MaterialsPaper
- Octopussy and The Living Daylights by Ian Fleming, First UK Edition, 1966Located in Colorado Springs, COFleming, Ian. Octopussy and The Living Daylights. London: Jonathan Cape, 1966. First UK edition. Octavo. Rebound in full leather with gilt facsimi...Category
Vintage 1960s English Books
MaterialsPaper
- The Spy Who Loved Me by Ian Fleming, First Us Edition, 1962Located in Colorado Springs, COFleming, Ian. The Spy Who Loved Me. New York: The Viking Press, Inc., 1962. First US edition, first printing. Octavo. Presented in the publisher's original dust jacket and original cloth boards. With new archival quarter leather and cloth clamshell archival case. This is the first US edition of Ian Fleming’s tenth James Bond thriller, The Spy Who Loved Me. The book is presented in the publisher’s original boards and dust jacket, with Richard Chopping’s classic artwork...Category
Vintage 1960s Books
MaterialsPaper
- My Life, Signed by Bill Clinton, First Edition, First Printing, 2004Located in Colorado Springs, COClinton, Bill. My Life. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2004. First edition, first printing, 8ov. Signed by Bill Clinton on the title page. Presented in original blue boards and pictoria...Category
Early 2000s American Books
MaterialsPaper
You May Also Like
- Ian Fleming, Thrilling Cities, First Edition, Uncorrected Proof, 1963Located in Hillsborough, NJAUTHOR: FLEMING, Ian. TITLE: Thrilling Cities - UNCORRECTED PROOF. PUBLISHER: London: Jonathan Cape, 1963. DESCRIPTION: FIRST EDITION, FIRST PRINTING, UNCORRECTED PROOF. 1 vol., only 175 copies printed, illustrated. Bound in the publisher's original pictorial printed wrappers, without the exceedingly scarce proof dustjacket. CONDITION: General light...Category
Vintage 1960s British Books
MaterialsPaper
- The Ivory Hammer, The Year At Sotheby's, 1962-1963, Ian Fleming James Bond StoryBy Ian FlemingLocated in valatie, NYThe Ivory Hammer, The Year At Sotheby's 219th Season 1962 - 1963, by Sotheby's. With Ian Fleming's "The Property Of A Lady" insert, an original short stor...Category
Vintage 1960s North American Books
MaterialsPaper
- CHURCHILL. History of The English-Speaking Peoples - ALL FIRST EDITIONS - 1956-8Located in Hillsborough, NJAUTHOR: CHURCHILL, Winston S. TITLE: A History of The English-Speaking Peoples. PUBLISHER: London: Cassell and Co, Ltd., 1956-8. DESCRIPTION: ALL FIRST LONDON EDITIONS. 4 volumes,...Category
Vintage 1950s British Books
MaterialsLeather
- Voltaire's Candide True First Edition & First London EditionLocated in Savannah, GAA rare example of a first edition Candide, published in Geneva by Cramer, 1759. 299pp. Woodcut ornaments and Voltaire's corrected pages (pp. 31/32, 41/42, 83/84, 85/86) all corresp...Category
Antique 1750s Swiss Books
MaterialsLeather, Paper
- Three Lives by Gertrude Stein, First Edition, First PrintingLocated in Middletown, NYThis is the FIRST edition, FIRST printing of Gertrude Stein's (1874-1946) FIRST published book and is from the FIRST issue of 700 copies, with a further 300 copies exported to Britai...Category
Early 20th Century American Books
MaterialsCanvas, Paper
- Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White First Edition, First Printing, 1952Located in Southbury, CTThis exceedingly rare hardcover first edition, first printing of E.B. White's timeless classic, "Charlotte's Web" is a literary classic and trophy for the book collector. The book ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Books
MaterialsPaper
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Forever Diamonds
Diamond Edition
Diamonds And Leather
Forever Furniture
Diamonds Are Forever
Secret Service
Navy Book
James Bond First
Retro Diamond Warrings
Vintage Level Tools
Art Leather Jacket
Hamilton Vintage Furniture
Vintage Diamond Tools
Vintage Leather Tool Case
Novel Rest
United Diamond Front
United Furniture Diamond Front
Cape Diamond