Bond, James Bond

That "international man of mystery" is at it again: making news, that is. A set of abnormally long stamps have been issued by Britain's Royal Mail featuring six of Fleming's infamous 007 novels: 'Casino Royale,' 'Goldfinger,' 'Dr. No,' 'For Your Eyes Only,' 'From Russia With Love,' and 'Diamonds Are Forever,' and they are now for sale to the public. 'Casino Royale' was the first of the series, published in 1953 (Ian Fleming Pubications Ltd., 2006), that introduced the world to the James Bond character. The Royal Mail released this set of postal stamps to commemorate the 100^th anniversary of the birth of the James Bond creator, author, Ian Fleming. (Associated Press, 2008)

Fleming was a journalist and an intelligence officer during wartime, which is perhaps the experience that spawned the birth of the James Bond character. (Associated Press, 2008) After writing the first James Bond novel, Fleming trading the majority of his rights to 'Casino Royal' and those that followed to Glidrose Productions Limited, thus purchasing his own production company that over the course of fifty (50) years and is now known as Ian Fleming Publications Ltd, entirely owned by Fleming's descendants, which to this day controls the Ian Fleming literary estate. There currently exist fourteen (14) James Bond books by novelists Raymond Benson, Kingley Amis, John Gardner, Charlie Higson author of the Young Bond novels, and of course, Ian Fleming himself. (Ian Fleming Pubications Ltd., 2006)

These stamps purportedly feature the covers from the James Bond novels, with each one depicting four cover designs of the same novel, displaying the progression from the first-edition hardback version to the more recent releases. Arguably, these stamps (and just as aptly the recent book covers) more closely resemble film posters than book covers, obviously exhibiting the influence of the vibrant Bond movie series; for instance, the 'Goldfinger' cover evolves from the captivating image of a skull clasping a rose between its teeth on the first cover illustrated, to the provocative image of Shirley Eaton's character in a titillating pose covered head to toe in gold paint, the comparison of which, as evidenced by each of the newly released stamps, not only demonstrates a move away from the novel to the commercialism of movies, but it also demonstrates the palpable advertising attitude prevalent today: "sex sells."

One can speculate about why this author is being so honored: Is it because of the genius of his literary works? Was it the author's foresight in creating the James Bond character that will, without a doubt, outlive all those who continue to enjoy the escapades of 007? Or is it the publicity that Britain has garnered from the popularity achieved by both the book and the many movies? Regardless of the reason, the James Bond character lives on into the 21rst century as Sebastian Faulks carries on Flemings work in the official new Bond novel, 'Devil May Care' scheduled to be published May 28^th, the actual 100^th anniversary of Fleming's birth and the new Bond movie featuring Daniel Craig in his second appearance as the dashing James Bond, scheduled for release at the end of this year. The world has not heard its last "Bond, James Bond."(Associated Press, 2008)

References

Associated Press. (2008). Fox News.

Ian Fleming Publications, Ltd. (2006).