Oliver Onions | The Compleat Bachelor, 1900, Ian Fleming's personal copy

Oliver Onions

The Compleat Bachelor. London: John Murray, 1900

IAN FLEMING'S PERSONAL COPY (with Fleming's ownership signature "I.L. Fleming | 1926" in blue ink to front free endpaper), 12mo, publisher's blue cloth gilt, with Yapp edges, toning to endleaves, binding rubbed at extremities with residue of sticker to upper cover

A reading book for the 18-year-old Fleming: a particularly relevant title given that he would not marry until the age of 43.

PROVENANCE:

Bloomsbury Auctions, 15 September 1994 ("Books from the Library of Ian Fleming"), lot 324; later sold by Peter Ellis, ABA (catalogue 68)