Ian Fleming and his Suave Secret Agent
Celebrating 118 years since Ian Fleming's birth, the creator of the world's most iconic spy, James Bond.
As he read through a near-final draft of his first novel at his Goldeneye estate in Jamaica, there is little to suggest that Ian Fleming was aware that he had just created one of the most iconic characters in the history of literature. On the contrary, he initially dubbed James Bond’s debut in Casino Royale as his ‘dreadful, oafish opus’. His publishers, Jonathan Cape, shared this lack of enthusiasm, and it was only as a result of the efforts of his then more famous brother, Peter, that they decided to proceed with publication.
Fourteen books, worldwide sales of over 100 million copies, and a cinematic franchise later, we can safely say that Fleming and his circle underestimated the allure of his suave secret agent. And so as we mark 118 years since Fleming’s birth, let’s take a look at Shapero’s current collection of iconic and eminently collectible works relating to James Bond.
Regarded by some as the best of the Bond novels, From Russia With Love is the first of nine to be adorned with a dustjacket illustrated by Richard Chopping, whose designs will be most familiar to collectors. President John F. Kennedy can be credited for skyrocketing Bond’s popularity in America when he named this instalment of the Bond series among his ten favourite books of all time in a 1961 issue of Life magazine.
Despite being the fifth title in the series, Dr. No was the first book to be made into a film and is thus a sought-after title. It originally began as a screenplay for a proposed television show, Commander Jamaica, which failed to materialise, before Fleming repurposed the plot for his next Bond story. Fleming commissioned Pat Marriot to illustrate the distinctive dustjacket.
A first issue of Robert McGinnis’ illustrated poster for Thunderball is one for film buffs and one of the most desirable examples of promotional material.
The fourth of the books to be adapted and star Sean Connery as 007, Thunderball was an exceptional success. Until the release of Skyfall in 2012, it was the highest grossing Bond film when adjusted for inflation. The book is the first in the unofficial ‘Blofeld trilogy’ in which Bond pursues Ernst Stavro Blofeld and his organisation SPECTRE.
The final book in the ‘Blofeld trilogy’, and the last to be published in Fleming’s lifetime, is You Only Live Twice. He set the novel in Japan, where he visited in 1959 as part of his ‘Thrilling Cities’ tour for The Sunday Times, and again in 1962. With only three days for his first trip, Fleming imposed on himself a strict set of rules: ‘No politicians, museums, temples, Imperial palaces or tea ceremonies…’ Instead, he sought out geishas, sushi, and sake. Japan left him enamoured and his experiences with the nightlife informed his tale of Bond’s descent into drinking and gambling after the murder of his wife, Tracy, on their wedding day.
Our copy is inscribed by the author using his first name, and that of the recipient, suggesting a close acquaintance.
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