The most famous Ian Fleming signed book in the world, a first British edition of You Only Live Twice, inscribed by Fleming on the front free endpaper, “To the real James Bond from the thief of his identity. Ian Fleming, Feb. 5, 1964, (a great day!)” will be offered as part of Profiles in History’s Auction 33, which takes place December 11, 2008. This is the ultimate James Bond association and Fleming’s acknowledgment of the source of secret agent 007’s name, and is expected to sell for $60,000-$80,000 (complete description below). Worldwide bidding begins at 12:00pm.
Ian Fleming, while working on is first novel, Casino Royale in 1952, was looking for inspiration-a name for the character who would become the most famous spy in the world. Glancing over at his coffee table, he spied the book, Birds of the West Indies by American Ornithologist James Bond. James Bond, Agent 007, the most famous spy in the world, was born.
Other Ian Fleming / James Bond pieces that will be available include a Second Draft Original Handwritten Manuscript for the film adaptation of You Only Live Twice signed By Roald Dahl ($30,000-$50,000), Ian Fleming’s personal annotated first British edition copy of From Russia, With Love ($18,000-$20,000), a great content Ian Fleming handwritten letter written from Goldeneye, his estate in Jamaica, regarding Dr. No as he was writing the book ($8,000-$12,000), a first British edition of The Spy who Loved Me inscribed to Richard Chopping, the designer of the dust jacket for the Bond books, with a signed letter from Fleming to Chopping with ideas for the design of the dust jacket that were used for the final product ($40,000-$60,000), a first British edition of Goldfinger
inscribed by Fleming to characters in the novel,-a real-life couple who Fleming incorporated in the book, “To Alfred & Gail Blacking on condition they don’t sue me for libel! From Ian Fleming” ($30,000-$50,000), original one-sheet poster artwork for Moonraker ($15,000-$18,000), original Ken Adams hand-drawn set design for You Only Live Twice ($2,000-$3,000) and Pierce Brosnan’s 007 stunt Walther P99 pistol from Tomorrow Never Dies ($6,000-$8,000). You will not find a better holiday gift for the Bond fan who has everything-or thought that they did!
FIRST BRITISH EDITION OF YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE INSCRIBED BY IAN FLEMING TO THE REAL JAMES BOND! ($60,000-$80,000)
Ian Fleming’s You Only Live Twice (Jonathan Cape, 1964). First British edition. Orig. black cloth boards lettered in silver (spine a bit cocked, light offsetting to endpapers), pictorial dust jacket after a design by Richard Chopping (very fine). Inscribed by Fleming on the front free endpaper, “To the real James Bond from the thief of his identity. Ian Fleming, Feb. 5, 1964, (a great day!)”. When writing Casino Royale in the early 50s, Fleming needed a name for his soon-to-be famous fictional secret agent. He looked no further than the coffee table of his home in Jamaica, where he found inspiration in a copy of Birds of the West Indies by American Ornithologist James Bond. It was not until 1964 that the two authors met in person, when Fleming received the real James Bond at the Jamaican home where 007 was born. Fleming gave Bond a prepublication copy of You Only Live Twice as a memento of his visit, signing it as above. It was the only book ever inscribed for the real-life Bond by Fleming, who died several months after the meeting. Includes a copy of How 007 Got His Name (Collins, 1966, 1st ed.) by Mrs. James Bond and a dust jacket for the book Birds of the West Indies by James Bond. You Only Live Twice housed in a custom half morocco clamshell slipcase. The ultimate James Bond association! Fleming acknowledges the source of secret agent 007’s name!
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About Profiles in History:
Founded in 1985 by Joseph Maddalena, Profiles in History is the nation’s leading dealer in guaranteed-authentic original historical autographs, letters, documents, vintage signed photographs and manuscripts. Profiles in History has held some of the most prestigious and successful auctions of Hollywood memorabilia. Their auctions include costumes, props and set pieces from both vintage and contemporary film, television, and rock ‘n roll. Profiles in History’s location in Calabasas Hills, CA- virtually a stone’s throw away from every major Hollywood studio – ensures a constant flow of fantastic and rare collectibles. With an extensive network of dealers, collectors, and institutions, they are proud to play an important role in the preservation of motion picture history.
