Shaken but not stirred…

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The 1964 first hardback edition of ‘You Only Live Twice’, is signed, dedicated and carries a verbose three page inscription from Richard Chopping, the artist responsible for the iconic James Bond cover illustrations.

The inscription details his work process…’'Fleming had very little to do with this cover, I chose the objects and dispersed them as I wanted. He used to tell me what he wanted but I got fed up with that and said "I must read the book first". He said "oh you don't want to do that, it's all rubbish". However I did and decided what I would do. Although I agreed with him.

The chrysanthemum was difficult, but I had a dragonfly. But the toad did present difficulties. Eventually I found one by asking around. It came from a friends daughter who taught school in London. She left the key hidden of her flat and I had to pick it up from her vivatium and return it when I'd finished. It did tend to sit fairly still but every once in a while I would look up and it had lumbered off my drawing board. I had to catch flies for it as I am such a slow worker. For all I know the model still lives!’. 

The inscription continues at length, offering an illuminating insight into the professional relationship between author and illustrator …’Fleming was rather mean. When I asked him if I could have a "ROYALTY" on the books instead of him buying my pictures outright for peanuts…He said, almost before I finished my sentence "No - my company wouldn't wear it”. so I upped my fee thereafter, but they were still cheap'.

The book is estimated at £200-300 and is one of six lots relating to Richard Chopping which come from a friend and near neighbour of the artist in Wivenhoe. 

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