FLEMING, Ian; DOWNTON, David (illus.)

Inquire · Offered by Peter Harrington

Dr No. First edition, first impression, of the sixth Bond book, the "First Editions: Re-covered" copy. This copy has a unique dust jacket by David Downton, with a drawing in pen, ink, and watercolour of Ursula Andress, signed with the artist's monogram.David Downton (b. 1959) is one of the world's leading fashion artists. His work has appeared in V Magazine, Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, The Times, The New York Times, Telegraph Magazine and Vanity Fair.A charity auction to benefit the House of Illustration was held on 11 December 2017. Book illustrators, fashion artists, painters, and other artists were invited to choose a book that appealed to them. A first edition was then obtained, and each artist designed a dust jacket for it. Referring to his choice of book, Downton stated, "The truth is I picked Dr No not for the book, but for a chance to draw Ursula Andress, my idol since I was a teenager".Andress first appeared on screen in Dr No emerging from the sea. The famous entrance was recreated by Halle Berry in Die Another Day, and, to some extent, Daniel Craig in Casino Royale. The white bikini worn by Andress was a crucial component of the scene, and Downton's design incorporates the bikini as part of the colour of the dust jacket's original card.

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