Moonraker | Pan | Hawkey | X234

03. Moonraker

Author : Ian Fleming
Publisher : Pan / Great Pan
Format : Paperback
Series : Pan Hawkey series
Edition : 13th to 23rd
Year : 1963 (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.

Editions and pricing variants found with this artwork

All editions have X234 to the spine. 13th printing 1963. Copies found with 3’6 printed to front cover. The 13th printing can also be found with the earlier “painted” cover with a yellow band. 14th printing 1963. Copies found with:

• 3’6 printed to front cover
• Unpriced
• 5’6 printed to cover (Australian pricing)
• 3’6 sticker to front
• 60c printed to front cover (Canadian pricing)

15th printing 1964. Copies found unpriced and with 3’6 printed to front cover 16th printing 1964. Copies found with

• 3’6 printed to front cover
• 60c printed to front cover

Note - from the 17th edition onwards most (but not all) copies have 6’ Australia printed on the lower back cover. Unless stated all the below have the Australian price to the rear. 17th printing 1964. Copies found with:

• 3’6 printed to front cover
• 3’6 printed to front cover but no 6’ Australia to back (probably an left over cover from 16th printing)
• Unpriced to front cover.

18th printing 1964. Copies found with:

• 3’6 printed to front cover
• 3’6 sticker on front cover
• 6/- sticker on front and no 6’ Australia to back cover (If you have a copy you are willing to trade or sell please get in touch)

19th printing 1964. Copies found with:

• 3’6 printed to front cover
• 60c printed to front cover (Canadian pricing)
• Unpriced to front, 6'- Australia printed to back

20th printing 1965. Copies found with:

• 3’6 printed to front cover
• Unpriced to front (still with 6’ Australia to rear)
• 60c printed to front no 6’ Australia to rear (Whilst the pricing is Canadian the book was printed in the UK)
• 60c yellow label to front cover and 6’ Australia printed to rear

21st printing 1965. Copies found with:

• 3’6 printed to front cover
• 3’6 yellow label to front cover
• 60c printed to front cover
• Unpriced to front (still with 6’ Australia to rear)
• Unpriced

22nd printing 1965. Copies found with:

• 3’6 printed to front cover
• Unpriced to front (still with 6’ Australia to rear)
• Blank yellow label to front, 6’- Australia to back covered by white label with “United Kingdom 3/6, Australia 60c, New Zealand 45c, South Africa 45c, Canada 85c”

23rd printing 1966. Copies found with:

• 3’6 printed to front cover
• 60c printed to front cover

Collectors notes

As all 14 bond books were published in this uniform series, copies are plentiful so 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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