Pan | Painted Series | Goldfinger 1st
This artwork with the purple band was used on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd editions
07. Goldfinger
Author : Ian FlemingPublisher : Pan / Great Pan
Format : Paperback
Series : Pan / Great Pan painted series
Edition : 1st through 3rd
Year : 1961 (first published with this artwork)
Country published : UK
Artwork designer : Pat Owen
General Notes
The purple 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.Editions and pricing variants found with this artwork
The following editions / pricing variants have been found in our collections: 1st printing 1961 with Pan G455 to spine. Copies found unpriced, with 2’6 printed to cover and with 2’6 sticker to cover. 2nd printing 1961 with Pan G455 to spine. Copies found unpriced and with 2’6 printed to cover 3rd printing 1962 with Pan G455 to spine. Copies found unpriced and with 2’6 printed to cover.Collectors notes
The first three printings had the purple band (directors covers), the 4th through 9th have the yellow 007 band. From the 7th printing onwards the books become part of the Pan X series so the designation on the spine changes from G455 to X238 and the “Great Pan” is removed from the cover. A few 7th printings have been found with the earlier cover priced at 2’6 but most are X series. The 9th printing when compared with other printings seems to have a green tinge. The 9th printing can also be found with the Hawkey (Rolls Royce) cover.