Books were once an integral part of every home. People liked to read. Now in the electronic age it is no longer the case. People have less and less time to read. Now rare books become prestige, and collectors are scrambling around limited and rare version. Book sellers, the Jones Brothers have put some titles in the market place for sale, which include Ian Fleming’s ‘Casino Royale’, 1953 1st edition copy, James Joyce’s ‘Ulysses’ published in 1922, and F Scott Fitzgerald‘s ‘The Great Gatsby’ published in 1925. These original copies of their first editions will surely interest many connoisseurs of books.
Ian Fleming’s Casino Royale 1st edition is one of the most popular book across the world, with British spy James Bond in the main role is on sale for $54,801. This particular copy on sale is one from the first set of published books in the market in 1953. Only 3,000 of these original copies are known to exist, and this piece has much of the originality in tact. The original cloth cover has been in prime condition and comes with the original dust wrapper with minor rubbings. Ian Fleming’s other books were also part of Christie’s 50 Years of James Bond auction, including the first edition of “From Russia With Love” and Dr. No book.
James Joyce’s Ulysses 1st edition published in 1922 is offering for $45,667. It was serialized in parts in the American journal called ‘The Little Review’ from the March 1918 to December 1920. Later in 1922, the book was published in entirety by Sylvia Beach, a copy of which remains from the 1st published version of the book. In fact there are a few copies available from the lot including this one, with some being priced even higher.
F Scott Fitzgerald had started planning for writing the book in 1922 on Long Island where the author had settled in and eventually finished it the following year in 1923, during his stay in the French Riviera. The sellers of the book have multiples copies of the first edition which differ with price, the lowest being $137,002 (£90,000), all depending upon the condition of the copy. This 1st edition of The Great Gatsby from 1925 is set for a price of $190,281.