Unexpected 007 Magazine Arrives

My Aunt in England recently discovered her friend knows a gentleman named Graham Rye.  Mr Rye is synonymous for publishing the well known James Bond "007 Magazine".  In fact I, like many other Bond fans, subscribed to "007 Magazine" during the 1980's and 90's.  From memory I was member number 00212, and I still have all the copies I received in my Bond room. 

Long story short my Aunt was able to acquire a magazine for me which arrived late last week.

The envelope contained a 151 page tribute edition to Sean Connery after his passing in 2020.   

I've already spent some time reading the magazine and admiring the amazing photos and I'm really enjoying it.

Ian Fleming The James Bond Collection

A parcel arrived today.  It contained the latest set of novels published in the UK by IFP (Ian Fleming Publications) packaged in an attractive box.  The box set is titled "Ian Fleming The James Bond Collection" and is limited to just 250 sets.

The covers were designed by Webb and Webb and initially released to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the first Bond novel, "Casino Royale" in 2023.  Webb and Webb were then asked to design the exclusive box.

I had already purchased the 14 titles in this set but as a completist I also had to acquire the box set.  The ISBN is 9781915797100 for anyone else interested in purchasing this set, however it's easier to locate on the IFP website.

It really is a lovely set and if these cover designs are anything to go by, Mr. Fleming's works are in good hands.  Look out for this set appearing on my Box Sets / Slipcases page soon.

Ps. Yes I did purchase this box set; it was not a freebie.  It was difficult to purchase though as currently IFP only despatch to the UK and the USA, although they are hoping to remedy that situation soon.

Chapter House Books Gone ?

As usual during the warmer months my wife and I visit the beautiful beaches on the Mornington Peninsula.  On our drive there we often stop at a few secondhand book stores along the way.  One of those shops is Chapter House Books in Mornington.  Here's some photos from one of my last visits on February 1st, 2023.  I'm sure I've visited since but I can't find the photos.

In August 2022 I noted that Chapter House was displaying a sign in the window "Business For Sale".  I assumed the business would be sold, someone else would take over and life would go on as usual.  Our visit last week proved me wrong as I was saddened to discover the book shop was gone... replaced by a skin clinic.

I'm not sure if the shop has gone altogether.  Perhaps it's moved online as their website still exists.   Or maybe it's moved to another street address.  I'd like to remain optimistic because otherwise another physical secondhand book store has closed.  And with Books By The Bay, just around the corner in Mornington, rarely open it's not a good sign for the only two secondhand book stores in the suburb.

John Gardner's "Seafire" Variation Arrives

Around the year 2012, when I first launched PizGloria.com, a fellow James Bond book collector visited the site and commented about the existence of a second cover for John Gardner's "Seafire", published in the U.S. by Berkley Books in 1995. 

At that time I already owned one copy of the "Seafire" paperback, which I purchased when it was first released.  My cover featured the book's title in silver foil.  So when this person informed me of a variation cover I immediately set about trying to acquire one.

Roll forward 12 years and I've just received a copy of the variation cover in the mail.

It's certainly been a long hunt.  There were copies appearing from time to time on internet shopping sites, but many were well read beaters.  So when I received the parcel containing this edition, plus six other Bond titles, I was eager to see what condition it was in, especially after it's journey from the U.S. to Australia.

And here's the two variations of this Berkley Books paperback side by side.  The cover on the left with the yellow text is the 3rd printing while the cover on the right with the silver foil text is the 1st. I believe the 2nd printing also features yellow text but I don't have that edition.  Both copies share the same ISBN: 0425147754.

Unfortunately I've forgotten the name of the collector who first informed me about the existence of this variation cover, but whoever you are thank you very much.

Ps. If you're interested in seeing some other slight paperback cover variations here's the page on the website.