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SIGNED by IAN FLEMING + SABLE BASILISK On Her Majestys Secret Service
SIGNED by IAN FLEMING + SABLE BASILISK On Her Majestys Secret Service
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On Her Majesty's Secret Service
By Ian Fleming
SIGNED BY IAN FLEMING and SABLE BASILISK (Robin de la Lanne-Mirrlees)
By Ian Fleming
SIGNED BY IAN FLEMING and SABLE BASILISK (Robin de la Lanne-Mirrlees)
Published by Jonathan Cape, London, 1963. Second impression. Hardback book with dust jacket (possibly a proof jacket?).
This book is not only signed by Ian Fleming but is also inscribed by the dedictee, the heraldry expert who directly inspired the character Sable Basilisk. Mirrlees, the Rouge Dragon of London's Corporation of Kings, was consulted extensively by Fleming on background information pertaining to heraldry prior to the composition of On Her Majesty's Secret Service. Mirrlees "provided the relevant Bond ancestry including the real family motto 'The World Is Not Enough', and produced a family crest for the character. In acknowledgement the book is dedicated to 'Sable Basilisk Pursuivant'—Fleming's guarded reference to the Rouge Dragon which would allow him to keep his anonymity (Gilbert, p. 351).
THE DUST JACKET
We believe the dust jacket could possibly be a proof jacket as it lacks the pink in the hand and with the rest of the colours not being as vibriant as the trade jacket . . it doesn't appear to be sun-faded as it is far too even and continues evenly around the spine. But we can't be sure. It certainly isn't a facsimile as it has light and natural age-toning to the inside folds where expected.
CONDITION
A very good copy. The dust jacket remains unclipped and in very good condition but with a light waterstain to the foot of the spine (see 3rd image provided). The cloth binding is very good. All contents present and pages clean throughout. Overall a very good copy made special by the two signatures.
(GC2)
This book is not only signed by Ian Fleming but is also inscribed by the dedictee, the heraldry expert who directly inspired the character Sable Basilisk. Mirrlees, the Rouge Dragon of London's Corporation of Kings, was consulted extensively by Fleming on background information pertaining to heraldry prior to the composition of On Her Majesty's Secret Service. Mirrlees "provided the relevant Bond ancestry including the real family motto 'The World Is Not Enough', and produced a family crest for the character. In acknowledgement the book is dedicated to 'Sable Basilisk Pursuivant'—Fleming's guarded reference to the Rouge Dragon which would allow him to keep his anonymity (Gilbert, p. 351).
THE DUST JACKET
We believe the dust jacket could possibly be a proof jacket as it lacks the pink in the hand and with the rest of the colours not being as vibriant as the trade jacket . . it doesn't appear to be sun-faded as it is far too even and continues evenly around the spine. But we can't be sure. It certainly isn't a facsimile as it has light and natural age-toning to the inside folds where expected.
CONDITION
A very good copy. The dust jacket remains unclipped and in very good condition but with a light waterstain to the foot of the spine (see 3rd image provided). The cloth binding is very good. All contents present and pages clean throughout. Overall a very good copy made special by the two signatures.
(GC2)
