Bond Bond exhibition to tour the world with Bonhams

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:

1. London – April-June 08 - Flemings
2. Edinburgh – July-September 08 - Flemings
3. New York – October 08 Bonhams
4. Los Angeles – November 08 Bonhams
5. Hong Kong – December 08 Flemings
6. Shanghai – January 09 (TBC)
7. Tokyo – February 09 (TBC)
8. Dubai – April 09 (TBC)
9. Paris – May 09 - Bonhams
10. Geneva – June 09 –
11. Amsterdam – July 09 - Bonhams

The exhibition opens in London this week shortly before the publication on May 28 of the latest James Bond book, `Devil May Care’ specially commissioned from Sebastian Faulks, author of Birdsong.

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.

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