Ian Fleming Centenary

[christoph404]

As well as the major exhibition celebrating Ian Fleming's life at the Imperial War Museum in London which is on until March 2009, anyone finding themselves in central London in the next couple of months might be interested in a smaller exhibition concentrating on the visual art work associated with James Bond. The exhibition is titled "Bond Bound" and is on at "The Fleming Collection" Gallery, 13 Berkley Street, London W1 until 28th June.(nearest tube Green Park) Entry is free and I have already called in to view it a couple of times as its in my locale. As well as original vintage film posters from around the world (loaned by Eon Productions, the walls of Eon HQ must be looking a bit bare at the moment!) and original artwork for unused poster concepts for OHMSS, there is also a comprehensive display of James Bond book cover designs and illustrations from around the world. Included are original pencil sketches by artist Richard Chopping who illustrated many of the original Jonathan Cape published Bond novels, his clever "trompe-l'oeil" jackets were considered an important factor in the books' success. Chopping's "From Russia With Love" book illustration was an image of a single rose intertwined through the trigger of a Smith and Wesson revolver and his "Goldfinger" illustration was of a skull with a single rose between its teeth! If you have one of these original books in the attic hang on to it, they are worth a fortune! Sadly Richard Chopping died in April at the ripe old age of 91 so very fitting that his work is so well represented in this exhibition. Its well worth a look and its a very nice air conditioned gallery so a pleasant and informative way to escape the sticky weather here in town for an hour.

[Steve Crook]

Originally Posted by christoph404 As well as the major exhibition celebrating Ian Fleming's life at the Imperial War Museum in London which is on until March 2009, anyone finding themselves in central London in the next couple of months might be interested in a smaller exhibition concentrating on the visual art work associated with James Bond. The exhibition is titled "Bond Bound" and is on at "The Fleming Collection" Gallery, 13 Berkley Street, London W1 until 28th June.(nearest tube Green Park) Entry is free and I have already called in to view it a couple of times as its in my locale. As well as original vintage film posters from around the world (loaned by Eon Productions, the walls of Eon HQ must be looking a bit bare at the moment!) and original artwork for unused poster concepts for OHMSS, there is also a comprehensive display of James Bond book cover designs and illustrations from around the world. Included are original pencil sketches by artist Richard Chopping who illustrated many of the original Jonathan Cape published Bond novels, his clever "trompe-l'oeil" jackets were considered an important factor in the books' success. Chopping's "From Russia With Love" book illustration was an image of a single rose intertwined through the trigger of a Smith and Wesson revolver and his "Goldfinger" illustration was of a skull with a single rose between its teeth! If you have one of these original books in the attic hang on to it, they are worth a fortune! Sadly Richard Chopping died in April at the ripe old age of 91 so very fitting that his work is so well represented in this exhibition. Its well worth a look and its a very nice air conditioned gallery so a pleasant and informative way to escape the sticky weather here in town for an hour.

Couldn't they have done it in a gallery in New BOND Street?

Steve

[christoph404]

Originally Posted by Steve Crook Couldn't they have done it in a gallery in New BOND Street? Steve

Well its very close to Bond Street! You could get out at Bond Street tube if you wanted to have a total Bond day out!