This week, we welcome Dan Holloway to share his thoughts on some of his favourite Bond novels and covers.

Photo: Nick Dunnebacke

1. What is your favorite Chopping cover and why?

I’ve always been partial to the OHMSS cover. It was somewhat different from the others, and the the artist’s perspective was intriguing. The red stamp title and the lone “Fleming” in the corner, it somehow seemed to be more “Chopping” than Bond. As if the artist had inserted a little bit of himself in this one, and I liked that.

2. Do you own any 1st editions?

Sadly, no. I have a set of the 1st American editions (two missing jackets), the FEL set and the leather set from Eaton, but have yet to take the plunge into the British firsts.

3. What is on your literary 007 wishlist?

British firsts, of course. But since my accounts are subject to audit by “She Who Must be Obeyed”, it might take me a bit at today’s prices. I would also like to get the Queen Anne sets. I have all, I think, of the major reference works and biographies.

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

In the late 60s, in the American Midwest, surrounded by thousands of acres of corn fields, and the largest body of water was a river, I read Dr. No. Obviously, I was somewhat taken aback at the thought that there were tropical islands beyond my horizon, where one could find nubile young ladies sporting about the beach in the altogether. Needless to say, I was hooked. My favorite is OHMSS, it has such a wistful feel at the beginning, and the tragic denouement. Bond seemed more human to me in that book.

Illustration by George Almond (Courtesy of http://www.007magazine.com )

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

Not a fan of the continuation books, so I confine my reading to Fleming. I did buy a set of the Penguin paperbacks with the cover art by Richie Fahey. I thought he did a great job with the retro covers. I think the painted photography was very well done and seemed to catch the spirit of the books, as it were.

The Richie Fahey series

Incidental Intelligence

Dan is a graduate of the University of Dallas and Saint Louis University and now retired Aeronautical Engineer, amateur book collector and traveler. He tries to visit Fleming and Bond sites when traveling (time and his wife’s indulgence permitting)!