Saturday 26 November 2011

Raymond Chandler Sale

Why am I posting a picture of Richard Chopping's front cover for Ian Fleming's Goldfinger (1959) under the title "Raymond Chandler Sale"?
1) It is one of the finest front covers for any of the many editions of the James Bond novels. Note the golden discs in the skull's eye sockets and the background of pine wood for a cheap coffin.
2) A first edition of Goldfinger inscribed “To Ray / with much affection / from / Ian” is in Sotheby's New York sale of Fine Books and Manuscripts on 13 December, estimated value $60,000-$80,000.
3) Raymond Chandler's blurb that Fleming was the most forceful and driving writer of thrillers in England today persuaded me to buy my first James Bond novel.
The main thrust of the Sotherby's sale is The Jean-Vounder Davis Collection of the Raymond Chandler Library, which boasts many fascinating examples of Chandler's work, including his film scripts. Alfred Hitchcock sacked Chandler when writing Strangers on a Train (1951) after he overheard Chandler refer to him as a "fat bastard"! Chandler was credited as lead writer. Click the title link for more.

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