Bond Bound exhibition opens in Edinburgh, Scotland

Bond Bound: Ian Fleming and the Art of Cover Design is an intriguing exhibition on the book art of the world's most popular spy, Bond... James Bond. Following its debut in London, the exhibition opened today in Edinburgh.

Charting the role of artists and designers in creating and defining the Bond look, the exhibition features book covers, film posters, letters and previously unseen archive material. Stretching back more than half a century, the covers provide revealing snapshots of shifting attitudes to sex, feminism and the changing international climate.

Over 100 million copies of the Bond novels have been sold worldwide and the suave secret agent has been the inspiration for many cover designers.Dick Bruna, creator of the much loved Miffy series, produced the covers for Dutch editions.

Amongst the many designers featured are Richie Fahey who produced Penguin's recent retro covers and Michael Gillette whose artwork is on the new hardback editions.

Ian Fleming’s books also include Thrilling Cities, his collected travel journalism, and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, brilliantly illustrated John Burningham.

The exhibition comes right up to date including artwork from Charlie Higson’s Young Bond series and The Moneypenny Diaries by Samantha Weinberg.

May 28th 2008 marked the centenary of the birth of Ian Fleming. The exhibition is one of a number of events celebrating his birth including the launch of Devil May Care, the new Bond novel by Sebastian Faulks writing as Fleming.

After Edinburgh, the exhibition is set to tour internationally in collaboration with Bonhams Auction House to America, Far East, Middle East and Europe.

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