7 replies to this topic

[Mortenbond]

I have this old Ian Fleming autograph. It is 100% genuine, it says, "from Ian Fleming", and is written on a small page of an autograph book. The colour of the paper is bluish green and the signature is in blue fountain pen ink. The paper smells like old papers you find in the attic.

Does anyone know the value of this?

[JCRendle]

Do you have an image of the autograph?

[MarkA]

You say it is in fountain pen ink. How do you know it is genuine? I ask because Ian Fleming mainly signed in ball point pen.

[Mortenbond]

This is the autograph. Not the best pic, I know, but when you hold it in your hand you can cleary see the paper is old, and even smell it. The ink is also not recent and is just slightly beginning to fade. I collect autographs and think this is the real thing. Also, I bought this from a reputable source and know it came from a the sort of autograph book collectors used to have. I have also compared it to other Fleming signatures and the flow of the pen is the same etc. I also noticed that many of his signatures were done in ballpoint, but that can hardly be grounds for dismissal. In my opinion it is the real thing, and just wondered if anyone out there had any inkling to its value.

[JCRendle]

This website http://rodcollins.co...n-fleming-books has examples of his real autograph, which your example does resemble. For value, I'd suggest a local auction house could give you some advice.

[Trevelyan 006]

Right up around priceless in my book!

I must ask, was the seller actually considering selling the autograph, or just curious on it's value?
I only ask because I for one, could never sell something like this if I had it in my possession.

[Mortenbond]

I don`t think the seller was quite aware how valuable this autograph is to Bond fans. It was listed with hundreds of other autographs, with no reserve price in a little advertised auction. I came across it quite by chance. Paid a measly 52 pounds for it. I have never seen his autograph for sale without it being in one of the books. And then it sells for thousands, which I don`t expect mine to be worth. But I think I got it at a bargain price!

I hope someone reads this who might have an inkling, though.

All guesstimates and comments are greatly appreciated!

[Poor Man's JB]

The value of Fleming's signature varies greatly depending on whether or not it's his full name (which he signed less often that just "Ian"), if it's a on a letter or in a book, which book and what edition, etc. A First Edition of CR signed with his full name is probably approaching US$ 100K while a letter -- such as I have -- signed just Ian is maybe US$ 1,500.