On Her Majesty’s Secret Service | Pan | Hawkey | X350

On Her Majesty’s Secret Service | Pan | Hawkey | X350. This artwork was used for the 1st to 6th editions
This artwork was used for the 1st to 6th editions
On Her Majesty’s Secret Service | Pan | Hawkey | X350. Some unpriced 1st editions have
Some unpriced 1st editions have "Not For Sale In The UK" on the back, others not.
On Her Majesty’s Secret Service | Pan | Hawkey | X350. The 1st,2nd & 3rd printings have blue titles, the 4th,5th and 6th have green and are a brighter white.
The 1st,2nd & 3rd printings have blue titles, the 4th,5th and 6th have green and are a brighter white.
On Her Majesty’s Secret Service | Pan | Hawkey | X350. Prudential insurance postcard as found in 4th printing
Prudential insurance postcard as found in 4th printing
On Her Majesty’s Secret Service | Pan | Hawkey | X350. Prudential insurance postcard as found in 6th printing
Prudential insurance postcard as found in 6th printing

11. On Her Majesty's Secret Service

Author : Ian Fleming
Publisher : Pan / Great Pan
Format : Paperback
Series : Pan Hawkey series
Edition : 1st through 6th
Year : 1964 (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

The first three printings of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (OHMSS) were “export only” so not sold in the UK. The difficulty of finding a first edition at a reasonable price often prevents a collector of the PAN first editions from completing the set. Most first editions found have Canadian pricing to the front cover (60C) and typically sell for around £650 / $1000. Unpriced first editions are truly rare on the market and are worth at least twice the price of ones with 60c. Its always worth checking any copy of OHMSS you come across in case its a first edition, unfortunately later editions are worth far, far less! The first three editions have the title to the front cover in blue and the snow has a cream / darker appearance. The 4th/5th & 6th editions have covers with the title in green and 6’- Australia printed to the back, the snow is a more brilliant white. Nearly all copies fit in with this but one 3rd edition has been found with the later cover, this is probably due to a mismatch between the number of sets of pages and covers of the 3rd edition produced. To complicate matters, as well as the first three printings appearing darker the white spines of OHMSS seem prone to darkening in the sun (see photo). All editions have X350 to spine and front cover. The following printings / pricing variants with this artwork have been found in our collections: 1st edition 1964 2nd printing 1964 3rd printing 1964 4th printing 1965 4th printing 1965 (Special Australian Edition) This somewhat elusive edition was printed in Sydney by New Century Press. In the list of printings it has the same information for the 2nd/3rd and 4th printing as the UK book then has an additional line saying “Special Australian Edition 1965”. If you have a copy of this edition in good condition for sale or trade please get in touch. 5th printing 1965
  • Unpriced to front, 6’- AUSTRALIA printed to rear cover. Titles in green.
  • 3’6 printed to front cover, 6’- AUSTRALIA to rear cover. Titles in green. Some copies have Prudential advertising post cards inside (see photo)
  • 6th printing 1965
  • Unpriced to front, 6’- AUSTRALIA printed to rear cover. Titles in green.
  • 3’6 printed to front cover, 6’- AUSTRALIA to rear cover. Titles in green. Some copies have Prudential advertising post cards inside (see photo)
  • 3’6 printed to front cover, 6’- AUSTRALIA to rear cover. Label on back (over Australian pricing) with “United Kingdom 3/6, Australia 60c, New Zealand 45c, South Africa 45c. Titles in green.
  • 60c label to front cover, 6’- AUSTRALIA to rear cover. 60c is Canadian pricing. Titles in green.
  • 60c printed to front cover. Titles in green

  • Collectors notes

    As all 14 bond books were published in this uniform series and copies are plentiful 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.

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