CASINO ROYALE - ORIGINAL JAMES BOND BOOK TO SELL FOR GBP10,000

A first edition of CASINO ROYALE, the first JAMES BOND novel, is expected to fetch at least GBP10,000 ($19,600) when it goes up for sale at an auction in London. The first edition of the IAN FLEMING novel, which was published in 1953, is still in its original dust jacket and has its owner's name and the bookseller's stamp inside the front cover. RODDY NEWLANDS of London's Bloomsbury Auctions, who are selling the book, believes interest in IAN FLEMING first editions has rocketed since DANIEL CRAIG starred in CASINO ROYALE last year (06). Discussing the book's appeal, he says, "It is an exceptionally important book because it is the first. If the book was in better condition it could make up to GBP15,000." The book will go under the hammer next week (15FEB07).