RARE first editions of Ian Fleming’s James Bond spy books went under the hammer yesterday and sold for nearly £30,000.

The book that introduced 007 to the world, Casino Royale, was the highlight of the auction and sold for £19,000 – well over the estimated £15,000.

Dominic Winter, from Dominic Winter auctioneers, in South Cerney, Gloucestershire, said: “The rare book market has many changing tastes and fashions, although the strikingly colourful James Bond first editions have always been one of the surest certainties over the last thirty years.

“Prices and demand have gone up, with premium prices being paid for mint condition rarities.

“The 007 film industry has helped that impetus by drawing in thousands of new fans keen to buy into the James Bond fantasy.

“First editions, film posters, autographs, we’ve got everything but his gun.”

Also sold was a first edition of Ian Fleming’s Live And Let Die – which went for £6,600. Others that went under the hammer were Moonraker for £1,000, Diamonds Are Forever, which fetched £660, and The Spy Who Loved Me, which sold for just below the £400 estimate.

All prices include the buyer’s premium.