The red band at the bottom of the cover shows Ralph Vernon-Hunt as Bond. These editions are known as the “Directors"covers as Vernon-Hunt was the managing director of Pan books at the time. As well as being a model for Bond and MD of Pan books, Vernon-Hunt was a WW2 fighter ace. Casino Royale, Moonraker, Live and Let Die, Diamonds are Forever, From Russia with Love, Dr No and Goldfinger were all issued with different coloured bands showing Vernon-Hunt. Getting a complete set of these is not easy with Dr No perhaps the most difficult to find. The red band is somewhat higher up the book than for most of the other “directors” series which caused a problem when the artwork was reset - see the edition with the yellow band for more details.
Pan seemed to prefer it if their cover artists remained anonymous so the artists often added subtle signatures. Look just to the left of the dressing table and you can spot “Owen” (Pat Owen).
4th printing 1961. Pan G101 to spine. Copies have been found:
5th printing 1961. Pan G101 to spine. Copies have been found with:
6th printing 1961. Pan G101 to spine. Copies have been found with:
Copies have been found with a “write for profit” flyer inside