Original Ian Fleming `Casino Royale` uncorrected proof up for auction
17-Jun-2006 • Literary
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Bids start at £35,000 (~$65,000 USD).
Jonathan Cape 1953. Uncorrected proof copy. Bound by Sangsorski & Sutcliffe (stamp-signed in gilt on the rear turn-in) in full black morocco. Covers ruled in gilt, spine decoratively tooled and lettered in gilt in compartments, board edges and turn-ins ruled in gilt, all edges gilt, marbled endpapers.
Only one other proof copy of Casino Royale is recorded as ever having been sold at auction. The differences to the published text include a plain rather than arched and decorated title on the title page, no date given on verso of title page, dummy page numbers for contents page [see picture], and A Completely Different Setting for The First Chapter, on the whole, involving a more descriptive style and a slightly more elaborate syntax.
In the proof version the novel begins 'The scent and smoke and sweat of a casino combine together and hit the taste-buds with an acid shock at three in the morning...' [see picture]. In the published text the opening paragraph begins 'The scent and smoke and sweat of a casino are nauseating at three in the morning...'
The first appearance of the secret agent in print also differs: in the proof version, 'James Bond caught this smell through his concentration and knew that he was tired...' becomes 'James Bond suddenly knew that he was tired...' in the later first edition text.
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