Favorite Fleming Covers
Redland
NYCPosts: 19MI6 Agent
The Bond books have been blessed with many fantastic covers over the years. The most recent US editions (minimalist, black, white, and red [all over]) are far less exciting than older editions. They're almost the direct opposite of the flashy, colorful, and pulpy covers for the US Penguin series released about 10 years ago. One may feel that either or both of these covers don't have the right personality to go along with the book's actual content, and/or one might just find these covers aesthetically unpleasing.
I offer two questions.
1. Which do you prefer: the recent US editions or the 2nd most recent US editions by Penguin?
2. And a more fun question...what are your favorite Fleming Bond covers of all time? Feel free to post links or images. There are a lot of simply beautiful covers.
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1. I don't think the recent US editions really say anything. They are all a matching set, but so indiscriminately so. Perhaps there is some visual representation of Bond's psyche to be found in them, but I find them overwhelmingly dull. I'm also not fond of the typeface on the inside, the bright white paper stock, or the lack of italics on foreign dialogue (unsure if this is Fleming or editorial). The Penguin series is gorgeous and clever, displaying an obviously close reading of Fleming's imagery. They also found some fantastic models. The Solitaire on the LALD cover is a knockout. I think all of the subway riders were getting jealous when they saw me reading it. But I digress. The Penguin covers are sometimes too busy or even a little silly, but they have more of the Bond je ne sais quoi that I admire so much
2. I'll hold off on talking too much on this, but I'm a fan of the peephole FYEO first edition, and the Thunderball knife-and-hand first edition (and to a lesser extent the matching OHMSS, FRWL, and TSWLM first editions).
Bonus round: Can we all just talk about how awesome the original drug trip cover of Colonel Sun is? No. Not now. Another topic. But I mean really.
I offer two questions.
1. Which do you prefer: the recent US editions or the 2nd most recent US editions by Penguin?
2. And a more fun question...what are your favorite Fleming Bond covers of all time? Feel free to post links or images. There are a lot of simply beautiful covers.
---
1. I don't think the recent US editions really say anything. They are all a matching set, but so indiscriminately so. Perhaps there is some visual representation of Bond's psyche to be found in them, but I find them overwhelmingly dull. I'm also not fond of the typeface on the inside, the bright white paper stock, or the lack of italics on foreign dialogue (unsure if this is Fleming or editorial). The Penguin series is gorgeous and clever, displaying an obviously close reading of Fleming's imagery. They also found some fantastic models. The Solitaire on the LALD cover is a knockout. I think all of the subway riders were getting jealous when they saw me reading it. But I digress. The Penguin covers are sometimes too busy or even a little silly, but they have more of the Bond je ne sais quoi that I admire so much
2. I'll hold off on talking too much on this, but I'm a fan of the peephole FYEO first edition, and the Thunderball knife-and-hand first edition (and to a lesser extent the matching OHMSS, FRWL, and TSWLM first editions).
Bonus round: Can we all just talk about how awesome the original drug trip cover of Colonel Sun is? No. Not now. Another topic. But I mean really.
The bitch is dead now.
Comments
Also, an early Pan of FRWL with Bond looking pleased with himself and very much like Connery.
Roger Moore 1927-2017
I have that OHMSS one, along with TB, TSWLM, YOLT and TMWTGG! Great covers!
Since then I've collected them all (at the time, LALD had just been released at the cinema, and the reprint featured the film poster, so there was no matching edition).
This is my collection - most of them are a bit dog-earred now:
This is still my favourite: Thunderball. I love the composition, the imagery, everything - I think it works really well. And IMO it's the best novel too.
02. Perhaps it's because they're the first Flemings I bought, but the Berkley covers are my favorite. You can see them at the Book Bond blog (http://www.thebookbond.com/2011/10/fleming-in-80s-and-case-of-curious.html), from which I have revised an old comment:
Beyond nostalgia, there are several reasons why I like those covers, though many have found them garish.
First, the lettering is extremely prominent and well-placed, giving ample space to "James Bond" and "Ian Fleming."
The color scheme might be a trifle loud (no louder than a Maurice Binder credits sequence) but it certainly catches your eye. You can hardly miss these books in a store.
The design is simple enough to be repeated, thereby emphasizing that this is a series. And that series emphasis comes through more clearly than in any other set of Fleming covers.
The design is simple but elegant (three rows of text and a graphic) and leaves room for variation in the silhouettes--and the latter are a terrific idea. They pay tribute to the Binder's gunbarrels and capture the spirit of Fleming. Whereas other covers try to picture Bond or his women--something that should be left to the reader--these covers pay tribute to Fleming's conception of Bond as "the man who was only a silhouette."
I haven't been thrilled by many of the other Fleming covers. I thought Choppings' were overrated and lacked excitement. And though the Penguin retro covers were well-made, they looked trashy--like all the covers that focused on the girls. The Pan 70s series I admire, because whoever designed them had obviously done his reading.
I'm not all that familiar with the original artwork of the books. (compared to knowing all the various posters for the films)
1. GE 2. MR 3. OP 4. TMWTGG 5. TSWLM 6. TND 7. TWINE 8.DN 9. GF 10. AVTAK
I loved that series of covers! Well researched, faithful, accurate, and very Fleming.
Seconded. Those particular covers are called the "still life" series I believe. -{
My favourite paperback covers are the earlier Pan ones with painted artworks, especially those by Sam Peffer.
I also really like the later Raymond Hawkey designed series.
The ultimate covers though are the first editions with artwork by Richard Chopping.
Yes, they're very nice.
I love that one too.
And the later versions, with girls draped over a gun in various poses.
Yes, Raymond Hawkey designed the Thunderball Pan cover you refer to.
This will always be my favorite Bond Cover Art -{
Had 'em all mint as a kid. Wish I had now.
Still, think there'd be a market for full size, back-front-and-spine repros of the old pbs...
Quite agree. That's why my hardbacks are bashed about - because they've been read and re-read...?
If you're lucky enough you get to own the hardbacks firsts and as they're the most desireable to own, you read them instead
I really, really hate it when people do this to my books...
Indeed.