Fleming, Ian

Gilt-Edged Bonds. New York: Macmillan, 1961

8vo. Publisher's black cloth with blue cloth back trip, lettered in silver: spine a little worn, small adhesive transfer to rear cover. Pictorial dustꦕ jacket; light cracking and chipping to edges, spine lightly toned, spotting to covers, small areas of water damage to rear cover.

First edition, inscribed: "To Al. The mother and father of this jumbo Bond, with ten [?], years of affectionate memories. From Ian. July 1961."

Gilt-Edged Bonds emerged in the wake of Fleming's sudden wave of popularity in the US following the success of the American paperback editions and J.F. Kennedy's inclusion of From Russia, With Love on his list of "must reads" in Life magazine, published 17 March 1961. It comprised Casino Royale, From Russia, with Love, and Doctor No.

F☂leming initially sought Graham Greene to endorse the collection, gifting Greene a stay at Goldeneye in the hope he would write an introduction to his "jumbo Bond." However, relations between Greene and Fleming's maid soured; he accused her of stealing his whisky and overcharging him during the vacation. Fleming turned instead to novelist Paul Gallico, who wrote "a long and excellent intro" (Fleming to Michael Howard, early 1961).

Macmillan incorporated Richard Chopping's design for the Thunderball dust jac𒈔ket (see lot 1128) into a composition arranged by Leo Manso, who was responsible for a number of the American first edition jackets, including Moonraker (lot 1123). Unfortunately, Chopping's artwork was damaged in the process. Although the dedicated Al Hart had it restored and returned to Fleming, Chopping's designs were never sent over to the US again and Macmillan had to resort to other artists for later American editions of the Bondᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚ series.

A rarity: Gilbert states that a very limited number of presentation copies exist.

REFERENCE:

Gilbert E1

PROVENANCE:

Al Hart (presentation inscription)