Casino Royale Bentley Limited Edition.

FLEMING, Ian; Introduction by Stirling Moss.

$2,500.00

Item Number: 109645

London: Vintage Books/ Random House, 2013.

Bentley Motors Special Series limited edition of Ian Fleming’s first book, which introduced the world to James Bond. Quarto, one of only 500 examples produced and bound in full beluga-colored leather sourced from the tannery in Italy which provides hides for Bentley’s interiors, all edges silver, ribbon bound in, illustrated. Using Bentley’s craftsmanship, this edition features the iconic double stitching and signature winged Bentley logo, all hand stitched on the leather casing. Bentley’s trademark knurling adorns the metal spine which was inspired by the Bentley steel tread plate. Signed by Stirling Moss on the title page, who contributed the foreword to this volume. Illustrations by the award-winning illustrator Damian Gascoigne. In fine condition. “Bond’s car was his only personal hobby. One of the last of the 4 ½ litre Bentleys with the supercharger by Amherst Villiers, he had bought it almost new in 1933 and had kept it in careful storage throughout the war… Bond drove it hard and well and with an almost sensual pleasure” (Ian Fleming, Casino Royale). Housed in the original clamshell box, with the original leather case holding two bespoke Bentley playing cards. Desirable signed by Stirling Moss.

Casino Royale was written by Ian Fleming in Jamaica over a period of around two months, largely from his own experiences and imagination; he also devised the artwork for the cover. "Within the first few pages Fleming had introduced most of Bond's idiosyncrasies and trademarks," which included his looks, his Bentley and his smoking and drinking habits. The full details of Bond's martini were kept until chapter seven of the book and Bond eventually named it "The Vesper", after Vesper Lynd" (Andrew Lycett). It has been filmed twice as a feature film, the first being the 1967 spoof starring David Niven, and later as the twenty-first official Bond film starring Daniel Craig as James Bond.