We're now open Sundays from 10am - 4pm
James Bond [Ian Fleming] – Birds of the West Indies – First US Edition 1936
£3,750.00
A first edition, first printing published by The Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia in 1936. A very good (or better) book with some wear to the spine tips and corners. Gilt titles are full and bright and the boards, so often battered, are in clean condition. One small name to the half-title. Some bumping to the top of the rear board and three small ink spots to the foot of the pages. One small name to the title page. Some neat pencil notes to the rear endpaper (which could be easily erased). A very presentable copy of a scarce book.
Ian Fleming chose the name “James Bond” for his iconic spy character from a combination of sources. The name James Bond was inspired by an American ornithologist of the same name, whose book ‘Birds of the West Indies’, Fleming had on his bookshelf. The author thought the name sounded plain and unassuming, which he believed would provide a contrast to the exciting and glamorous life of his fictional spy. The last name “Bond” was reportedly chosen because it was short, strong, and typically associated with upper-class Englishmen. The combination created a memorable and somewhat ordinary name for a character who would become extraordinary in the world of espionage fiction.
(We don't keep all of our stock in the shop, so send us an email if you're planning a trip to see a particular author or book.)
- Description
Description
A first edition, first printing published by The Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia in 1936. A very good (or better) book with some wear to the spine tips and corners. Gilt titles are full and bright and the boards, so often battered, are in clean condition. One small name to the half-title. Some bumping to the top of the rear board and three small ink spots to the foot of the pages. One small name to the title page. Some neat pencil notes to the rear endpaper (which could be easily erased). A very presentable copy of a scarce book.
Ian Fleming chose the name “James Bond” for his iconic spy character from a combination of sources. The name James Bond was inspired by an American ornithologist of the same name, whose book ‘Birds of the West Indies’, Fleming had on his bookshelf. The author thought the name sounded plain and unassuming, which he believed would provide a contrast to the exciting and glamorous life of his fictional spy. The last name “Bond” was reportedly chosen because it was short, strong, and typically associated with upper-class Englishmen. The combination created a memorable and somewhat ordinary name for a character who would become extraordinary in the world of espionage fiction.
