Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: The Magical Car.

FLEMING, Ian; Illustrated by John Burningham.

Item Number: 64050

London: Jonathan Cape, 1964-1965.

First editions of this children’s novel written by Ian Fleming for his son Caspar. Octavo, original illustrated boards, illustrated endpapers. Near fine in very good to near fine dust jackets. Illustrated by John Burningham. A very nice set.

Fleming, better known as the creator of James Bond, took his inspiration for the subject from a series of aero-engined racing cars called "Chitty Bang Bang", built by Count Louis Zborowski in the early 1920s at Higham Park. Fleming had known Higham Park as a guest of its later owner, Walter Wigham, chairman of Robert Fleming & Co. It was the last book he wrote and did not live to see it published. It was made into the 1968 British musical film on the novel. The film's script was written by Roald Dahl and Ken Hughes and its songs by the Sherman Brothers. The song "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" was nominated for an Academy Award. The film stars Dick Van Dyke as Caractacus Potts, Sally Ann Howes as Truly Scrumptious, Lionel Jeffries as Grandpa Potts, James Robertson Justice as Lord Scrumptious and Robert Helpmann as the Childcatcher. The film was directed by Ken Hughes and produced by Albert R. Broccoli (co-producer of the James Bond series of films, also based on Fleming's novels).