James Bond First Editions

'James Bond's Hardware' contained within 'The Sunday Times Colour Section' 18th November 1962.

FLEMING, Ian Lancaster (1908-1964).

London: Thomson Newspapers Limited. 1962. [James Bond Reference] Pp.36. Newspaper supplement format, illustrated, with colour-printed covers. James Bond's Hardware' appears on pages 18-22, with illustrations in colour, being the first British appearance of Fleming's essay 'The Guns of James Bond'. Ian Fleming was a driving force behind the 'The Sunday Times Colour Section', as described in the 2012 bibliography of the author. Gentle toning. Fine. 'Q Branch' (aka Major Boothroyd) in the Bond novels is based on Major Geoffrey Boothroyd, a gun expert who lived in Glasgow, Scotland. Boothroyd wrote to Fleming concerning his choice of firearms after reading the novels; he criticized Bond's use of guns and Fleming, far be it from being upset, took the expert's advice and adapted his writing accondingly- Boothroyd's comments included switching the Beretta (a ladies gun) for the Walther PPK, and he noted that a shoulder holster (as seen in the film 'Dr. No' (1962) does not provide as quick a draw as a belt holster (viz many Westerns). Geoffrey Boothroyd can be seen in person with Sean Connery in the black and white 1964 short documentary "The Guns of James Bond". This article is framed by the actual correspondence between Fleming and Boothroyd. Less common than the American version published in Sports Illustrated (March 1962). From the Ian Fleming Bibliographical Archive assembled by Jon Gilbert, with his pencilled ownership within. His comprehensive guide to the works of Ian Fleming (2012) won the 16th Breslauer Prize for bibliography. Item #69301

Gilbert C107.

Price: £295.00