1. What is your favorite Chopping cover and why?

From Russia, With Love. I think primarily because as a bookseller I associate it with scarcity, which makes it a bit more appealing, but also the actual arrangement of the image, it seems to fit the cover better than the others.

I did have a nice non-Bond Chopping jacket in a few months back, one of The Saturday Books. The jacket was a similar style, but much less bold, though I seem to remember it had the signature fly on it. There was another non-Bond with a hat/flowers on a man or woman’s head – unnerved me a little for some reason!

2. Do you own any 1st editions?

I have a couple; a Dr. No and a Goldfinger, oh and an Octopussy. Most of what I get only sits on the shelves for a couple of weeks. There’s a very active trade, so I like to keep them moving. I did have a pristine Thunderball a year or so ago, it was pretty much perfect. That sold a little too quickly for my liking.

3. What is on your literary 007 wishlist?

The first three books are really the only ones I actively seek. The others come in now and then, but the first three are the real big fish. I’m a bit of a stickler for condition though, so I think I’m going to be waiting a long while. The author signed copies are pretty desirable too, I don’t really go for the copies signed by the film actors etc. Anything unusual such as letters or postcards, are always appealing, especially where they give a little insight into Fleming’s life.

4. When did you read your first Bond novel and which is your favorite and non-Bond favorite?

It was Casino Royale and it was only a few years ago. I think it was around the time of the film release and I read it on audiobook. The plan was to start at the first publication and work forwards – I’ve not quite finished yet.

Moonraker, mainly because it was my favourite Bond film. I was brought up on the films and didn’t read the books until I was much older. I would never say I’m a Bond fanatic, but in the world of rare books it’s kind of difficult to not get caught up in it all. I haven’t read any of his non-fiction, though I have had a few of Jon Gilbert’s Ian Fleming Bibliography in and that work was first rate.

5. Do you have any favorite Bond dust jackets in paperback or by continuation authors? 

I’m a big fan of the recent Vintage paperbacks. They remind me a lot of Saul Bass’s film posters, in particular I like the Thrilling Cities cover. The Diamond Smugglers and Dr. No in that range are also quite nice, but it starts to get a bit obvious after that. I really don’t like the Vintage covers with the black and white beach scenes. Also, to be a bit of a heretic, I much prefer the Kenneth Lewis jackets, I think they’re more representative of the era.

Incidental Intelligence