Ian Fleming | On Her Majesty's Secret Service, 1963, first edition, signed by the author, Lionel Bart, John Barry, and Richard Chopping

Ian Fleming

On Her Majesty's Secret Service. London: Jonathan Cape, 1963

8vo, FIRST EDITION, SIGNED BY THE AUTHOR, FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE THEME SONG COMPOSER LIONEL BART AND SOUNDTRACK COMPOSER JOHN BARRY on front free endpaper, binding A, original dark-brown cloth, lettered in silver, design to upper cover in white, original dust-jacket by Richard Chopping, SIGNED BY RICHARD CHOPPING on front flap (dated 21st February 2001), housed in bespoke black cloth clamshell case with embossed dust-jacket design and dark blue sides, plastic wallet containing related ephemera loosely inserted in case (list of ephemera available upon request), dust-jacket slightly worn at extremities, with 2mm chips to spine ends

The signatures in this copy bring together Bond in literature and on screen: not only is Fleming's name present, but also those of Lionel Bart (under his birth name "Lionel Begleiter"), and John Barry, plus a further unidentified signature. A probable occasion for the signing was the party held at Pinewood Studios on 1 April 1963 (at which all three were present) to celebrate the publication of On Her Majesty's Secret Service, and the first day's shooting of From Russia With Love, co-hosted by the Directors of Eon Productions and Jonathan Cape. Bart penned the lyrics for the From Russia With Love theme song, and Barry composed/arranged the rest of the soundtrack. A fourth indistinct autograph is also present, possibly that of Terence Churcher, present at the party in his capacity of Second Assistant Director of From Russia With Love. Chopping's signature was added to the dust-jacket later.

LITERATURE:

Gilbert A11a (1.1)