A complete set of first edition, first printings of Ian Fleming’s James Bond series has gone on sale for £475,000.
The collection is being sold by John Atkinson Books, and eleven of the fifteen novels are signed with inscriptions to associates or intimate friends of Ian Fleming. Also included is a signed copy of James Bond’s ‘Birds of the West Indies’. Each book is contained in the original dust wrapper and each in custom made solander boxes. The collection consists: Casino Royale – Signed and inscribed to Lisl Popper, lover of Ian Fleming and one of three people Fleming left £500 to in his will. Live and Let Die – Signed and inscribed to Muriel Williams, secretary to Fleming at Kemsley Newspapers. Moonraker – Signed and inscribed to Joyce Emerson, Fleming’s ghost writer on his ‘Atticus’ column From Russia With Love – Signed and inscribed to Fleming’s chiropractor Raymond Singleton-Ward Goldfinger – Signed and inscribed to the golfer Sir Henry Cotton Thunderball – Signed and inscribed to Wing Commander Dobson, who advised Fleming on Vulcan bombers used in the book The Spy Who Loved Me – Signed and inscribed to William Plomer, friend of Fleming and responsible for having Casino Royale published On Her Majesty’s Secret Service – Signed and inscribed to Joss Pender, golding friend at Royal St. George’s golf club You Only Live Twice – Signed and inscribed to Aubrey Forshaw, managing director at Pan paperbacks Octopussy – Signed by actors Roger Moore, Maryam D’Abo and Maud Adams And Birds of the West Indies – Signed by James Bond John Atkinson, the rare book dealer based in Harrogate, England, told the Financial Times: “Along with Sherlock Holmes and Harry Potter, Bond is one of the best-known characters from 20th-century literature. The books are just very popular and probably always will be, given the success of the films.” "The books are like works of art, and the collection gives you an insight into Fleming's lifestyle." You can splash out on the collection here.
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"Ian Fleming: The Brain Behind Bond" was the final interview recorded with the author. It was first broadcast as a half hour documentary by CBC-TV's Explorations on August 17th, 1964 - just five days after Fleming died.
Th interview was carried out by Munroe Scott, a Candian writer and director, at Goldeneye in Jamaica. With the Caribbean sea in the background, a chain-smoking Fleming appears relaxed as he speaks candidly, articulately and intimitely about his own life and that of his fictional super-spy. You can now watch the full interview below. |
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