8 replies to this topic

[Bondpurist]

In Moonraker, set in about 1952 we are told Bond earns about 2,000 pounds. However, in Goldfinger, set around 1957 we are told :
' No wonder the neat card inside Bond's wardrobe had said that the cost of the Aloha suite was two hundred dollars a day. Bond made a rough calculation. If he was paying the bill, it would take him just three weeks to spend his whole salary for the year.' 200 dollars times 7 for one week equals about 1400 pounds and times three for the three weeks equals about 4200 pounds. That means in 1957 Bond earns 4200 pounds. How much is that, approximately, in todays money? Quite a lot, but can anyone else find any other references to Bond's salary?

[1q2w3e4r]

I think you'll find that the 4200 includes money earned from gambling...

M only makes 5000 pounds with a rolls and driver thrown in.

[Blue Eyes]

I'm not sure about inflation et. al., thought I know some users are knowledgeable in that area. But Bond is definetley underpaid for the work he does, and it if wasn't for the Treasury he wouldn't be living the 'Bond lifestyle'.

[1q2w3e4r]

As I understand it, Bond made roughly 2000 pounds, its all detailed in one of Fleming's novels with the add on's made from gambling thrown in on top... I'd have to look it up, and i really can't be bothered, im sure i'll come across it, then i'll post it.

But 5000 pounds is a lot of money in the late 50s. You could buy an average house in Sydney in 1960 for 12 000 AUD. Work out that 1 AUST dollar buys anywhere between 33-38 p and they're on a nice little nest egg as i make it.

[Bondpurist]

I think you'll find that the 4200 includes money earned from gambling...

Well actually it does say that that's his salary for the year. It says nothing about gambling, so any money won gambling is probably in addition to his wages. I think 2000 a year in 1952 was a good 70,000 pounds a year - a lot of money. I might be wrong though.

[1q2w3e4r]

As i said from memory Its not that much, its certinally not that close to M's and if you read FRWL the department heads of SMERSH actually comment that the members of the BSS aren't as well paid as the ruski's and aren't offered tax reliefs and other benifits.

[Bondpurist]

He was still paid a hell of a lot. Most people lived on about 1 or 2 pounds a week, he lived on about 40. He was rich, albeit not as rich as M or the russian agents.

[1q2w3e4r]

Oh yeah for sure. ANyone that can buy a Bentley and have the chassis straightened and a square convertible job thrown on for 3000 pounds (not including the car) certinally isn't slumming it. Im just saying he didn't make nearly as much as M.

[General Koskov]

I think Fleming is trying to give us the perception that Bond is a financial wizard extrordinaire. Because every time I've tried to solve this mystery myself, I get confused and leave it alone. But perhaps this forum will put an end to one of the mysteries of James Bond.