After presenting in-depth articles this week about Fleming's research trip to Japan and an analysis of his favorite music, I thought we would focus today on something for the rare 007 book collectors. My budget has usually tilted my attention toward paperback and serialized editions, but that doesn't mean one has to miss out on the excitement we normally reserve for First Editions. There are some rare serialized appearances out there, and I was pleased to uncover this one some time ago. The discovery even had Fleming bibliographer Jon Gilbert's curiosity piqued! Many of us are great fans of Fleming's 1963 novel, On Her Majesty's Secret Service. Perhaps it is the heightened emotional content (no spoilers here), but it's often a fan-favorite and has been voted the best Bond film adaptation. On Her Majesty's Secret Service was famously serialized in Playboy in 1963 and later adapted as a comic strip in the UK in 1964 by John McLusky. But the story also made a rare appearance in serialized form in the weekly supplement of the San Francisco Examiner. The first six chapters appeared in January, 1964. The edition measured 14.75 x 10.7 and featured very cool graphics, including a fabulous cover illustration of the beach scene by house editorial cartoonist, Ken Alexander. The modernist open-silhouette figures printed over color landscape was a common illustration approach seen on mystery-book jackets during the 1950s and early 1960s. The cover also drew heavily on the then-familiar "A James Bond Thriller" logo from the Signet book designs of the era. Inside, Alexander contributed five additional images (two in full color). The illustrator died at age 87 in May, 2012, so we've sadly missed our chance to interview him. Few copies of this have likely survived, especially given the print size and paper quality. Could it be one of the rarest editions? The cover is certainly one of the most beautiful ever produced. I've seen the Examiner appearance only once, and it unfortunately slipped through my fingers when bidding rose beyond my reach. Perhaps it will cross my radar screen again someday. In the meantime, we can enjoy these scans for reference. Click for larger view. Interested in book collecting? Search Spy Vibe for past posts about rare editions, book design, and our series, For Your Shelf Only. Enjoy!
Spy Vibers, I'm making my first trip to England later this month. If you can help, please consider making a small donation in our Paypal tip-jar at top-left of the page. You can also help by shopping my current listings on eBay here. Thank you! -Jason. Below: Ian Fleming's On Her Majesty's Secret Service through the years.
Selected Spy Vibe Ian Fleming links: Fleming's Music, Fleming's Japan, Wicked Grin, 50th events, Goldeneye US Design, new Fleming books, SE Asian 007, Cumberbatch as Ian Fleming, Fleming Jamaica Book, Bond Japanese Editions, Fleming Chinese Edition, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 50th, Ian Fleming: Mt. Demon Hell Japan, Bond Vs Modernism, Collecting Fleming, 007 Audio Books Update, Appropriating Bond Exhibit, Fleming Letters Mystery, The Goldfinger Variations, Double 007 Book Designs, Double 007 designs II, rare Ian Fleming edition, Book Design Dopplegangers, Turkish Bond design, Erno Goldfinger, Ian Fleming Catalog, Jon Gilbert interview, Double 007 Designs, James Bond book covers, Ian Fleming's Playboy interview for Kindle, Spy Vibe's discovery of a rare Ian Fleming serialization, rare View to a Kill, Fleming's Royal gold typewriter, Ian Fleming's memorial address, Spy Vibe's Ian Fleming image archive.
Selected Spy Vibe posts: Ian Fleming's Japan, Jim Wilson Corgi Interview, Fantomas Design, Jeremy Duns on Bond, John Buss interview, Diana Rigg eBook, Avengers Season 5 Titles, Saint Volvo, Mod Tales Interview, Agente Secreto Comics, Danger Man Comics 2, Danger Man Comics, John Drake Comics, Der Mann Von UNCLE, Golden Margaret Nolan, Man From UNCLE Rocksteady, Pussy Galore Calypso, Cynthia Lennon R.I.P., Edward Mann Fashion, Leonard Nimoy Tribute, Shatner at 84, Bob Morane series, New Saint Publications, The Saint Complete box set, Gerry Anderson Box Sets, Music For Spies, Thai Bond Design, Bond vs Modernism, Popular Skullture, Art of Modesty, Avengers Blu-ray update, Tokyo Beat 1964, Polaroid Spy, Feraud Mod Fashion, Green Hornet Manga, No 6 Festival, Avengers Interview: Michael Richardson, Ian Fleming: Wicked Grin, Jane Bond Hong Kong Records, Ryan Heshka Interview, Comics Week: Man From R.I.V.E.R.D.A.L.E., Comics Week: Archie, Comics Week: Robots, Comics Week: Cold War Atomic, Comics Week: SPYMAN, Comics Week: Jimmy Olsen, Shakespeare Spies: Diana Rigg, Shakespeare Spies I, Rodney Marshall Avengers Interview, Richard Sala: Super-Enigmatix, Cold War Archie, Playboy Bunny Interview, The 10th Victim Japanese and Kindle, U.N.C.L.E. Japanese Books, Trina Robbins Interview, Catsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton.
