The Casino Royale first edition from Jonathan Cape is the book that began the Bond series in 1953, Ian Fleming’s first 007 novel. Original copies are collectors’ pieces, and the Cape name matters because later Bond books, including Anthony Horowitz’s prequel Forever and a Day, lead into this one.
In the books
Fleming’s debut sends Bond to a casino to play against the villain Le Chiffre; the Folio Society note on the book says it was first published on 13 April 1953. A collectors’ site records that the first-edition jacket design was used for the first three editions, which is worth knowing before you pay for one.
Owning it now
Original Cape copies are scarce and priced accordingly, so condition, the dust jacket and the printing matter more than the title. Our research found dealers listing first and second impressions, and AbeBooks shows dozens of copies. The link above searches eBay. For a book to read, take any later edition and keep the money; the Folio Society edition is worth a look if you want something handsome. See also the Bonds and our books and media.
Specifications
| Author | Ian Fleming |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Jonathan Cape, London, 1953 |
| Series | First James Bond novel |
| Availability | Out of production in this form; found second-hand and through dealers |
A collector’s guide to the Cape first edition is on Collecting Fleming.
