Authenticate Signed Ian Fleming Books
The purpose of this page is to provide a definitive guide on identifying the signature or autograph of Ian Fleming.
The first editions of 007 James Bond books are amongst the most collectable of modern first editions - if signed their value increases hugely. Because of this, some due care and diligence needs to be taken with their authentification.
We have had to protect these pictures with the site name and anti-hotlinking script but should you wish to use this page as a reference or quote anywhere please do feel free to link to it.
Before we get on with it let’s clear up a few important points …
-
You do not want a signed copy of The Man with the Golden Gun or Octopussy. I have been offered both and indeed seen both on e-bay. The author’s personal circumstances at the time made it difficult for him to do signings on publication - he was dead !
- As a book collector himself Ian Fleming was acutely aware of the value his autograph potentially added to a book, consequently he did not sign as many writers do today.
Most copies tended to be to friends or people associated with him in some way.
Flat signed copies are less common.
If you see a copy flat signed on the title page you should be wary from the start, he generally didn’t sign on title pages. The Spy Who Loved Me appears to be a slight exception, presumably due to red endpapers.
We have put together the following selection trying to show all the various formats the author used. All are taken from UK first editions. All are true 1st issue-1st impression.
They are all from important close association copies with impeccable provenance and guaranteed 100% genuine.
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
You’ll notice that there are slight differences between the various examples, this is perfectly normal. The biggest mistake people make who are unused to verifying authentic signatures is in looking for an exact match to their sample.
All of our signatures change, especially over a period of years.
You’ll not note some salient points though:
- The full-stop and underline
- The distinctive I and A in Ian and likewise the F and L of Fleming
The most important factor is fluidity, the vast majority of fakes are poor and those that are better still lack the spontaneity that accompanies an original.
If you are considering buying then here is a brief buyers guide:
Buying Signed Ian Fleming First Editions
Buy from Specialist Booksellers
We would recommend using a well-known and established professional book dealer.
This will give you security and peace of mind, not the cheapest option but may save you a fortune in the long run !
Buying at Auction
The fact that an auction house, even the big names, offer such things does not guarantee them as 100% genuine. Seek a specialist opinion before spending a lot of money.
Buying - Bidding on ebay
This is the greatest minefield. I do not suggest that all the examples that have appeared on ebay are fakes - just that almost all the ones I have seen are.
Why ? Well … ebay lends itself to this kind of carry on.
Ebayers tend to be naive and also they are, by nature, bargain hunters !
This is not an area of book collecting best suited to bargain hunters or those with limited resources - playing this game will cost you money.
Provenance - Certificate of Authenticity - COA
True provenance is a great thing but something that rarely appears in written format providing absolute proof, something desirable but not realistic to demand.
A COA is pretty much a waste of time !
They are just printed of on home computers usually. Whilst they are a staple of the autograph market they are not used by professionals in the rare book business.
And Finally …
Unless you personally stood there and saw Ian Fleming actually sign your book you will never have absolute proof and certainty.
However, you can have every confidence if you use common sense and, just possibly, this guide.
We hope you found this useful
Rod Collins
Goldeneye Rare Books
Graham Holl said,
September 27, 2009 @ 10:24 pm
Hi Rod,
I have a signed copy of Ian Fleming`s On Her Majesty`s Secret Service. This is a presentation copy, one of only 50, I believe. This was presented to me for a winning window display to promote the release of the book when I worked for W.H.Smith & Son. The book is hardbacked with a silver ski track on the front. It has a coloured page inside and on the following page is the signature.
Any idea where the best place to have this valued would be & how much it may be for the valuation.
Many thanks
Graham Holl
Rod said,
September 29, 2009 @ 7:10 pm
Hi Graham,
a specialist book auction house shoud be able to give you some idea of what the book might fetch
Cheers
Rod
Paul Hansell said,
October 1, 2009 @ 5:38 pm
Hi Rod,
What advice can you give about Mr. Fleming’s signature on a movie poster? Thanks for any help you might be able to provide.
Rod said,
October 1, 2009 @ 7:16 pm
Hi Paul,
I personally would be cautious - proceed with caution as they say
Cheers
Rod
christopher spibey said,
November 9, 2009 @ 2:30 pm
Hello Rod
I have been offered a few items namely a signed 1st ed of OHMSS,a signed Agatha Christie book and a clipped Conan Doyle signature and wondered if you could help me to verify in particular the Fleming signature.It appears to be excellent and is signed directly to the book but having read your comments on being wary of books signed on the title age i,m now slightly unsure.Would it be possible to email them through for your advice.Many thanks in advance kind regards chris
Rod said,
November 9, 2009 @ 3:54 pm
Hi Christopher,
I’m afraid it’s not a service we provide - sorry about that - 100s of emails a week requesting guidance and valuations etc.
Sorry to disappoint and welcome to the site - hope you’ll return
All the best
Rod
christopher spibey said,
November 9, 2009 @ 6:13 pm
Hi Rod
Thanks for coming back to me and i appreciate your comments.Would you know of anywhere that may be able to help as obviously if these are good genuine items as i think they are i obviously don,t want to let them slip by.Im not after a valuation or anything like that just a simple heads up so i don,t get seriously stung,many thanks again for you prompt reply kind regards chris
Rod said,
November 9, 2009 @ 6:53 pm
Hi Chris,
I don’t know of any experienced dealers in this field who simply authenticate books and signatures I’m afraid.
Best
Rod
Brenda said,
November 19, 2009 @ 11:27 pm
Being unable to remember what year it was that Ian Fleming passed away, I grabbed an autographed “Octopussy” at a charity book sale.
I am perfectly happy to have blown two bucks on a very funny forgery. Who would fake the author’s signature in a book that says right on the next page “© 1965, 1966 by the Literary Executors of Ian Fleming deceased”? Someone thinks autograph collectors are not very bright…
On the other hand, it’s too bad, because it ruins an otherwise excellent (though dust-jacket-less) first edition from Jonathan Cape.
Rod said,
November 20, 2009 @ 8:19 am
Hi Brenda,
a full-time professional book dealer once offered me a signed copy of Octopussy !
Cheers
Rod
Nathan said,
May 3, 2010 @ 8:21 am
Rod,
I have a signed copy of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, and it looks like it was signed shortly before (within weeks) his death.
Do you have any idea whereabouts I could sell this item? I’m a broke college student, and I would love to alleviate some of my parents bills.
Thanks,
Nathan
Rod said,
May 3, 2010 @ 10:23 am
Hi Nathan
check with specialist dealers nearest to you or major auction houses
Best
Rod
billy said,
May 19, 2010 @ 4:10 pm
i recently brought dr no from a charity shop dated 1965 and signed 1965 i guess its fake but it sure does look like ians signature without the full stop and underline so i guess its a fake
any idea if i could get it verified anyways .
Rod said,
May 19, 2010 @ 7:33 pm
Hi Billy,
thanks for the comment and welcome to the site.
I wouldn’t worry too much about ‘full stops’ and ‘underscores’ if I were you . . .
Ian Fleming died in 1964 !!
A free verification - not often I dish those out
All the best
Rod
Ellen said,
October 27, 2010 @ 1:50 am
Rod, My son’s landlord recently bought out an estate, with a huge library. (I’t’s what he does) In going thru the books, his dad, an avid Bond fan from year 1, asked how much this “you only live twice” copy was. The man told them…it’s free to you. He usually sells to auction houses in the NE USA, and had not gone thru, nor will he ever, the 100s of cartons of books. Later that day when he showed my son what he’d gotten fron “shall remain nameless”, he looked it over, found it not only to be a first edition in the dust jacket, but had an “Ian Fleming” signature into the hardcover of the book. I have yet to see it to see about underscores or full stops, but can find nothing about outer hard cover signatures, in every site I can find. Quite honestly, my son nor my ex would ever part with it even if it were a rare, 1st edition signed copy, but, is there any possible truth to this? I’ve attended signings for half of my life from authors I love and have never seen an author sign “the cover.”
Rod said,
October 27, 2010 @ 8:38 am
Hi Ellen,
thanks for the comment and welcome to the site.
If its published by New American Library and has yellow cloth and you’re talkingabout it being signed on the outside of the front board then I think you’ll find that’s simply part of the publishers printed design I’m afraid.
Sorry about the disappointing news
All the best
Rod
Brad said,
November 5, 2010 @ 5:43 am
Authentic Fleming autographs always seem to be in British first editions. Have you ever seen any authentic signed American editions, or paperbacks (British or American)? How about magazine or newspaper articles?
Rod said,
November 5, 2010 @ 9:48 am
Hi Brad,
most are indeed UK, I don’t recall personally handling a US signed edition myself - they do exist of course but I don’t think I’ve seen one in the flesh - have seen Bristish signed paperbacks though - always initially wary of them though
Cheers
Rod
Paul said,
December 7, 2011 @ 9:55 pm
Hi Rod,
I have a 1963 3rd edition (pan book), From Russia With Love. I have had it for about 10 years after buying it from a second hand book sale and never got round to looking at it or even reading it, so it has been stored away up in the loft. I have only recently come across it again and after looking through it have found that it appears to have 5 signatures in it. These look to include Ian Fleming, Sean Conery, Lionel Bart, Lotte Lenya and Daniela Bianchi. We have been to a local book shop who suggested to contact Christies, however they have said that it is out of their scope. Any advice on where to start with this?
Many thanks
Paul
Andrew Hendley said,
August 14, 2013 @ 11:35 am
Hi, I have in my possession a Pan books paperback Casino Royale 19th printing 1964. I believe this was the year Ian Fleming died. On the first page there is a handwritten dedication ” To the real James Bond thanks for the use of your name” and signed Ian Fleming.
I have no idea if the signature is genuine or even if this edition of the book predates Ian Fleming’s death. Nor do I know who the “real James Bond” might be.
I am erring on the side of caution and presuming it is not authentic. However it is curious and I would think worthy of further investigation. Would yoy be inclined to agree?
Thank you,
Best Wishes,
Andy
Rod said,
August 14, 2013 @ 11:38 am
Andy,
certainly worth you investigating - it’s an inscription that has turned up before in a 1964 hardback 1st of You Only Live Twice. So it was either faked from that or it could be genuine and Fleming signed several books to the author of Birds of the West Indies from whom he took the name
Best of luck with it Andy
Rod
Paul said,
November 10, 2015 @ 8:23 pm
Hi Rod.
I dropped you a message back in 2011. I still have the book. I’m not looking to sell, just interested if the signatures appear genuine? I have some pictures of the signed pages, however I’m at a bit of a loss where to start?
Best regards
Paul
Rod said,
November 11, 2015 @ 9:01 am
Hi Paul,
A London auction house would be your best bet.
Best of luck with it.
Regards,
Rod