From Russia With Love | Pan | Hawkey | X236
This artwork was used for the 17th to 21st editions
Curious 17th printing (this cover was not released until the 19th). Possibly a prototype - see text.
The red spine of From Russia With Love fades badly with exposure to sunlight
05. From Russia With Love
Author : Ian FlemingPublisher : Pan / Great Pan
Printer(s) :
- Hazel Watson and Viney Ltd. Aylesbury, Bucks
Series : Pan Hawkey series
Edition : 17th to 21st
Year : 1965 (first published with this artwork)
Country published : UK
Artwork designer : Raymond Hawkey
General Notes
In 1963 graphic designer (and novelist) Raymond Hawkey created a fresh new look for the Bond novels. The uniform design with minimal graphics contrasted with the “painted” designs of the previous series. The consistent use of modern fonts helped the series have a uniform look as did having “JAMES BOND” in large bold text at the top of each book. Elements of this design can be found in the Pan “Model” series of the 1970s and in the Panther / Triad series of the 1980s. Millions of copies of the Bond paperbacks were printed in the “Hawkey” series and for many is the definitive paperback series, indeed for many people of a “certain age” it was their introduction to reading James Bond novels. Thunderball is the only book in the series where Hawkey is credited (Cover design by Raymond Hawkey) so it is possible Pan staff laid out some of the other designs. The majority of the books were released with Hawkey designs in 1963 but the timing of the film releases of Dr No and From Russia With Love means that the “Movie Tie In” editions were published first. This pushed the release of the Hawkey cover versions of these titles out to 1964/65 and means they are less common than the others. It is probable however that these covers were designed at the same time as the others as early / prototype editions have been found.Editions and pricing variants found with this artwork
Due to the timing of the “movie tie in” cover, the Hawkey edition of From Russia With Love was not published until 1965. Copies are still plentiful but with only 3 print runs they are less common some of the other Hawkey editions which had 10 or more printings. As with many books that have red or pink in the cover design From Russia With Love is often found with the spine faded, the photo shows some typical examples ranging from a fine copy (bright red) to one that has faded to near white. The following printings with this artwork have been found in our collections. Note all printings have X239 to the spine and all printings have 6’- AUSTRALIA printed on the rear / lower cover in addition to the pricing mentioned below. 17th printing 1964 with 3’6 printed to the cover. One copy has been found with this artwork as a 17th printing. This copy has a thicker than normal front card cover which has been glued into place. It may be a prototype for this cover. No copy that says 18th printing has been found either with this cover or the Movie cover. 19th printing 1965. Copies found with:- 3’6 printed to front cover
- 3’6 label to front cover
- 60c printed to front cover (Canadian pricing)
- Unpriced to front
- 3’6 printed to front cover
- 3’6 label to front cover
- Unpriced to front
- 60c printed to cover (Canadian pricing)
- Pan "piccolo" logo sticker to front. Found in Australia. Assume the label covers the UK or Canadian price as 6'- Australian printed to rear cover.
- 3’6 printed to front cover
- 60c printed to cover (Canadian pricing)
- Unpriced to front, 6’- Australia to rear cover
Collectors notes
As all 14 bond books were published in this uniform series, copies are plentiful so they make an ideal first set of books for the new collector. From Thunderball onwards the 1st Pan printings were in this Hawkey series, surprisingly On Her Majesty’s Secret Service 1st Pan edition is perhaps the most difficult to find / most valuable of all the Pan paperbacks (especially without any price to the front). The main reason for this is that the 1st four printings were export only.