IAN FLEMING: THE BIBLIOGRAPHY

London, England: Queen Anne Press, 2017. cloth. Fleming, Ian. 4to. cloth. 692 pages. Second edition featuring some textual revisions and a handsome new binding of 'racing green' cloth, as used for the publisher's limited edition 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang'. Signed by the author on the title page. A comprehensive 736-page guide to the work of Ian Fleming, this bibliography is not only an indispensable source of information for collectors, enthusiasts, libraries and booksellers alike, but an entertaining and informative volume that will appeal to anyone interested in the James Bond phenomenon.



Jon Gilbert is the foremost expert on the works of Ian Fleming. He is a renowned bookdealer at rare book experts Adrian Harrington Limited in London and has an encyclopaedic knowledge of Fleming's works. He explains: "Ian Fleming is best known as the creator of James Bond, an icon of 20th century popular culture, but he was also a journalist, publisher, travel writer, motor enthusiast, card player, accomplished golfer and noted bibliophile. Much has been written about Fleming and his legendary creation, but until now there has been no serious bibliographical account of his published work."



His research took him to the Jonathan Cape Publishing archive, Eton College Library, the Pan Macmillan archive, Penguin Books Ltd., The Imperial War Museums Fleming Exhibition, the British Library and the Bond Bound display at The Fleming Collection, London. In addition he has been able to interview colleagues, friends and family of Ian Fleming.



The Bibliography covers every aspect of Fleming's writing, from the manuscript stage, through typescripts, uncorrected proofs, advance and review copies, first and subsequent impressions, paperback printings, omnibus and collected editions, as well as periodical appearances, comic strip adaptations, and young reader and large print editions published in Britain and America.



Apart from the fourteen Bond novels there are sections covering Fleming's non-fiction works, The Diamond Smugglers and Thrilling Cities, his book for children Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang, as well as his more obscure articles, essays and contributions. Each main entry includes an engaging narrative on the conception, editorial process and marketing of the book, complemented by a full list of sources. Biographical notes of many of Fleming's friends and colleagues are provided, along with a chronology of the author's life.



Winner of the 16th ILAB Breslauer Prize for Bibliography.