Lost Ian Fleming Short Story Published as Bond Memorabilia Comes to Auction

James Bond is back in the spotlight with the publication of a rarely seen short story by his creator Ian Fleming and an auction focusing on Bondiana including novels, posters, and other related film items.

The Strand Magazine's new issue, its 75th, features The Shameful Dream, a story Fleming wrote in 1951 nearly a year before Casino Royale. "In this never-before–widely-published tale Caffery Bone, that's Bone, not Bond, is a world-weary journalist working for a media mogul who feels like Logan Roy meets a Bond villain," said Andrew Gulli
, Managing Editor, The Strand Magazine. "It reads like Fleming’s first draft of 007."

The story was uncovered by a collector who had access to Fleming's family archives. The issue of the Strand also includes a previously unseen ghost story Reading at Night by Graham Greene after the manuscript was found in a University of Texas library collection. The finds follow in an ongoing series of pieces published by the magazine of rare or previously unpublished work by major writers.

Meanwhile, Heritage Auctions' James Bond Hollywood/Entertainment Showcase sale on June 13 features significant Bond memorabilia spanning the whole 007 franchise. Highlights include:

• a signed first edition of On Her Majesty's Secret Service and a vintage release script from the 1970 film of that title
• a rare British Quad film poster for Dr. No (1962) and a cast-signed international one-sheet for Moonraker (1979)
• the world premiere brochure and a gold presentation cinema briefcase from Goldfinger (1964)

“James Bond isn’t just a character, he’s a cultural barometer,” says Alastair McCrea, Heritage’s London-based Director of Entertainment. “This collection captures the full sweep of his evolution, from Fleming’s original vision to the silver screen icon known the world over.”