James Bond First Editions

The Life of Ian Fleming [2 volumes with variant jackets]. Creator of James Bond.

[FLEMING, Ian] PEARSON, John (1930-2021).

London: Jonathan Cape, 1966. [Literary Biography] FIRST EDITION. Octavo (25 x 16cm), pp.352, with sixteen pages of photographic plates, red top-stain, pictorial dust-wrappers. The earliest jacket has pale gold lettering to spine with turquoise author's name and imprint; later versions feature regular gilt lettering and a darker blue blocking. A publisher's sample copy in the bibliographical archive confirms the two states, where the jacket of the sample carries an instruction to printers "more magenta". Both near fine with minor toning, very light wear to jackets, both contain the scarce publisher's statement [Thunderball disclaimer] to p.340. One shows original price 36s., the other with publisher's later price label at £7.50. A near fine pair. An informative first-hand biography of James Bond's creator, written by a close friend and colleague working alongside the author both in wartime intelligence work and as Fleming's assistant at the Foreign Desk of The Sunday Times. This biography served as the basis for the 1989 British television film Goldeneye. From the comprehensive collection of Jon Gilbert, who reviewed Pearson's book Ian Fleming The Notes (pencilled signature within). His encyclopaedic guide to the works of Ian Fleming (2012) won the 16th Breslauer Prize for bibliography. Item #65797

Gilbert, Jon. Ian Fleming: The Bibliography, page 592.

Price: £275.00