The JOVE paperbacks

Continuing our look back at the Ian Fleming paperbacks, here is an American series that divides fans. These eight paperbacks from Jove look like they belong to the 1970s, but were actually released in 1980-81. (Jove's first Bond book had been the Christopher Wood novelization of James Bond and Moonraker in 1979.)

At the time, I was not a fan. The artwork by Barnett Plotkin looked dated even back then, and the cover of Goldfinger (the first book released in February 1980) looked like it belonged on a Danielle Steel novel. But over the years I've come to like these covers and this series as a representative of the times. I also like how each cover carries a nice individual tag line -- "James Bond Takes on The Bomb." Nice.

Of this series, Live and Let Die is a tricky one to find. For Your Eyes Only was released with a cover blurb touting what was then the latest Bond film, For Your Eyes Only starring Roger Moore. I'm not sure if there was ever a version published without the blurb. Moonraker was the last book released in July 1981.

In 2008 the Royal Mail issued commemorative James Bond stamps, and used several of these covers as artwork. Barnett Plotkin's original art can be purchased as limited edition prints at James Bond Illustrations.

Jove U.S. paperback publication order:

Goldfinger - February 1980
From Russia With Love - March 1980
Diamonds Are Forever - April 1980
Dr. No - May 1980
Live And Let Die - June 1980
Casino Royale - July 1980
For Your Eyes Only - June 1981
Moonraker - July 1981

Link: THE INFERNAL MACHINE

The terrific blog Letters of Note has posted a letter written by Ian Fleming in July 1954 discussing titles for what would be his third James Bond novel. Fleming's preferred choice: The Infernal Machine. He also toys with Wide of the Mark and The Inhuman Element.

But he later works on alternatives written in pen on the letter itself, until he settles on Moonraker. Great stuff!

Click on the headline to have look for yourself at Letters of Note.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

CARTE BLANCHE released in Japan

Carte Blanche by Jeffery Deaver is released this month in Japan. The Japanese edition of this latest James Bond novel runs 456 pages with a translation by Makiko Ikeda.

Purchase at Amazon.co.jp.

The IAN FLEMING "still life" series

Over the past few weeks I've been taking a look back at the various paperback editions of the original Ian Fleming James Bond novels. Of course, the series that many Bond fans covet is the "still life" series from Pan Books, first released in the UK around 1972.

Certainly these are the most ambitious covers from an art director's perspective, assembling meaningful items from the pages of the books (not movies) in a wonderful montage. The artwork actually wraps around to the back of the books. A bonus is that this set includes the first paperback edition of James Bond The Authorized Biography of 007 by John Pearson. Because Pan published a movie tie-in edition of Live and Let Die in 1973, that title did not receive the "still life" treatment.

Thanks to Brian A. Dixon at the CBn Forums for help pinpointing the release date of this series.