A trip to London today to visit Sotheby's and the exhibition of their "James Bond on Bond Street" sale lots. Frustratingly, only a small selection of them were on display, albeit the wall of First Editions was rather impressive.
Having expressed my disappointment to the Sotheby's team, I was allowed 'backstage' to have a rummage through the lots that weren't on show. Was at least able to find the other 'For Your Eyes Only', which is an association copy, albeit not in as good condition, but also has no reserve in the auction. Sadly despite hunting around, no sign of lots 190 and 191 which I would really have liked to see. They are the centenary edition complete works in both the fine and vellum bindings (as shown here on the Queen Anne Press website).
Will have to contemplate whether to put in a cheeky bid or two. I have a feeling that the auction estimate ranges may be rather on the low side just to keep us interested. Maybe I'll pop into Harrington's during the week and ask Jon's advice, although he has a rather spectacularly large vested interest.
After Sotheby's, went up Bond Street to Shapero's and got a couple of books there, and then over to Charing Cross Road and picked up another couple in Henry Pordes. More on those another time.