By Devin Zydel on 2008-09-11
Ian Fleming
Earlier this year, CommanderBond.net reported on the ‘Bond Bound: Ian Fleming and The Art of Cover Design’ exhibition, which marked the Fleming centenary with a look back at the cover artwork that has graced the 007 novels throughout the past 50 years.
The exhibition first opened at London’s Fleming Collection and then moved to Edinburgh’s City Art Centre (where it will continue at until 14 September).
Next month will see the ‘Bond Bound’ exhibition make a stop at Bonhams Galleries in New York and then Los Angeles, California the following month to coincide with the US release of the latest James Bond film, Quantum of Solace.
Several other worldwide stops, including Tokyo and Paris, will also follow for the exhibition. The full line-up is included in the press release:
Doctor No
JAMES BOND EXHIBITION CELEBRATING THE CENTENARY OF IAN FLEMING’S BIRTH ON SHOW AT BONHAMS INTERNATIONALLY
Over the next year Bonhams, the international fine art auction house, will be partnering Ian Fleming Publications in a prestigious international exhibition that celebrates the birth of James Bond’s creator, Ian Fleming.
The exhibition, entitled ‘Bond Bound’ will showcase an array of the legendary book covers for different editions of the Bond books from different eras. Bonhams will host the exhibition in a number of key locations, provide marketing and press support, and host a series of private view receptions in various locations. The exhibition will be staged in 11 different cities around the world during the coming year at venues provided by Bonhams or Flemings:
- London – April-June 08 – Flemings
- Edinburgh – July-September 08 – Flemings
- New York – October 08 – Bonhams
- Los Angeles – November 08 – Bonhams
- Hong Kong – December 08 – Flemings
- Shanghai – January 09 (TBC)
- Tokyo – February 09 (TBC)
- Dubai – April 09 (TBC)
- Paris – May 09 – Bonhams
- Geneva – June 09
- Amsterdam – July 09 – Bonhams
The Exhibition in New York in October at the Bonhams Galleries will coincide with the worldwide launch in the UK of the new James Bond film Quantum of Solace and at Bonhams in Los Angeles in November it will coincide with the USA film launch.
Based on the artwork of James Bond book covers, the exhibition is a collaboration between The Fleming Collection and Ian Fleming Publications working closely with Ian Fleming’s worldwide publishing partners. Previously unseen archive material will be featured including fascinating personal letters and manuscript material from Ian Fleming. The Exhibition’s decorative value is enhanced by a selection of iconic film posters.
Selina Skipworth, Keeper of the Art at The Fleming Collection who is curating the exhibition, says: “The covers of Bond novels stretching back more than half a century provide a fascinating snapshot of society’s shifting attitude to sex, feminism and the changing international political climate.”
Ian Fleming’s life was a fascinating backdrop for his stories about 007. Born in 1908, the grandson of the founder of Flemings, Ian was educated at Eton and after a brief period at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst he went abroad to further his education. In 1931 having failed to get an appointment in the Foreign Office he joined Reuters News Agency. During WWII he was personal assistant to the Director of Naval Intelligence rising to the rank of Commander. This experience gave him first-hand knowledge of secret operations. After the war he became Foreign Manager for Kemsley Newspapers. He built his house Goldeneye in Jamaica and there at the age of 44 he wrote Casino Royale, the first of his novels featuring Commander James Bond. By the time of his death the James Bond books had sold 40 million copies.
The charity, ‘Room to Read’ which builds schools and libraries for girls in Third World countries will be a beneficiary of the Exhibition. The charity is headed by John Wood who has links to Bill Clinton and other VIPs.
The Imperial War Museum are hosting an exhibition explaining Fleming’s wartime experience which provided his insight into the life of Agent 007. This exhibition will run to Jan 09.
Keep visiting the CBn main page for the most up-to-date and complete coverage of all the 007-related events going on throughout the Ian Fleming centenary year.
