Monday, February 6, 2012

JOHN GARDNER first edition paperbacks 1982-1997

With the new John Gardner paperback reprints beginning to roll out in the U.S. and UK, here's a look back at the John Gardner first edition paperbacks (from my own collection) as they appeared from 1982 to 1997.



I should point out that I've also seen the UK Nobody Lives Forever paperback with a red cover, but the one in my collection is a Canadian edition so I'm not sure whether it was ever released with the red cover in the UK. Also note that my Role of Honour is also Canadian (the tip-off is the General logo and dollar price), but I'm pretty sure it is the exact same cover art as used in the UK.

11 comments:

  1. Nice post.

    Isn't there another UK LICENCE RENEWED paperback that has similar title font to the LR-ROH firsts, but with a rear view mirror on the cover?

    Also regarding UK paperbacks, did LR and FOR SPECIAL SERVICES get a (presumably early 90s, judging by the "JOHN GARDNER" font that adorned UK PBs at the time) printing like the ICEBREAKER and ROLE OF HONOUR ones with a gun on the cover (i.e. the IB that's often compared with the DAD teaser poster). If they did I've never seen them.

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    Replies
    1. Yes, the rear view mirror cover was the second edition.

      LR and FSS did not get that early 90s cover treatment. I was actually going to do a post about these because they were cool but very short lived -- "the lost Gardner covers".

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  2. My (Canadian) edition of Nobody Lives Forever is Red.
    I have all the British printings shown, plus all the US editions up to The Man From Barbarossa, plus Never Send Flowers.

    That's where it had to end for me - I never handle the PBs anyway - I find that the HCs are sturdier.

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  3. I was able to find all the first edition paperbacks in a small bookstore in town.

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  4. Luke, I've got a LR with the wing mirror cover (1982) - it's brilliant, as you can see a second cover (a photo of Bond, girl and Saab)though 3 bullet holes in the refective surface! One of the best Bond covers ever!

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    Replies
    1. Ah, second edition. That makes sense. Sounds cool. Thanks for the info, guys.

      Delete
  5. Cool, I have all the U.S. editions except for Icebreaker and Scorpius which I have in hardcover.

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  6. Are the american paperbacks all published by Berkley

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    Replies
    1. Berkley and Charter (which I think are the same thing).

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    2. Hi John
      I don't know if you've ever noticed but the 1st paperback editions of Icebreaker from Coronet have a flaw in the artwork where the space inside the skull's jaw hasn't been cut out or coloured black which results in some odd looking 'fangs'. This error was corrected on all later editions. It sometimes appears on eBay at an inflated price! I can send a scan if you need one.

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    3. Thank you, Dan. I didn't know this! Looks like my copy isn't a true first. And thanks for the tip on the eBay copy. I was going to bid, but the seller ended the auction early for some reason.

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