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  1. Fleming's OHMSS Manuscript Up For Auction

    By @mrpauldunphy on 2003-07-23

    Manuscripts by Ian Fleming and Beat poet Jack Kerouac, along with a vintage 1960s Bunny costume and photos of original Playboy cover girl Marilyn Monroe from 1960 highlight the “Playboy at 50” collection to be auctioned at Christie’s.

    Advance proofs of sections from “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”, published in Playboy in 1963 along with notations by Fleming, are estimated to fetch £11,000 ($18,000) to £15,000 ($24,000) when they go under the hammer on December 17th this year, strengthening the connection between Bond and Playboy, a relationship that has lasted over 40 years.

    Photography, memorabilia, art from contributors such as LeRoy Neiman, Alberto Vargas and Gahan Wilson and a custom Mercedes limousine that belonged to publisher and founder Hugh Hefner will also be included in the sale, held in conjunction with Playboy magazine’s 50th anniversary.

    “It will prove there were millions of men who did read it for the articles,” joked Hefner about the magazine infamous for bringing eroticism to a mainstream audience.

    This isn’t the only piece of 007 literary memorabilia that’s gone under the hammer this year, most notably Richard Chopping, artist of many great Bond jackets sold his printers proofs as well as a signed first edition of Thunderball this month after revealing his strained relationship with Bond’s creator.

    Not much is known about the manuscripts in the Christie’s auction as yet, but CBn will bring you more news and information about them as it surfaces.

    Sources: Reuters, New York. Christies.com.