Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Lot #567
Ian Fleming Typed Letter Signed, Referencing Secretary Una Trueblood of Dr. No Fame

Fleming references his secretary "Mrs. Trueblood," whose name was used for Dr. No agent Mary Trueblood

Estimate: $1000+

The 30 Minute Rule begins October 16 at 7:00 PM EDT. An Initial Bid Must Be Placed By October 16 at 6:00 PM EDT To Participate After 6:00 PM EDT

Server Time: 9/28/2024 10:22:57 PM EDT
Sell a Similar Item?
Refer Collections and Get Paid

Description

Fleming references his secretary "Mrs. Trueblood," whose name was used for Dr. No agent Mary Trueblood

TLS signed “Ian Fleming,” one page, 4 x 5, Kemsley Newspapers: Foreign Department letterhead, December 22, 1954. Letter to Mr. J. Ashwin, in full: “This is just to congratulate you and the Feature Section on the splendid year you have had. The quantity and quality of your output is most impressive and I know that the Editors and Mr. Hamilton are very well satisfied. Thank you all very much and a Very Happy Christmas to you, Mrs. Trueblood and Miss Hulbert.” Stapled to a slightly larger sheet and in very good to fine condition, with some minor paper loss to the trimmed edges.

After the war Ian Fleming became Foreign Manager at Kemsley News, publishing their flagship Sunday Times, which included much of Fleming's journalism. His secretary was Una Trueblood, whose name was appropriated by Fleming in Dr. No, for the agent Mary Trueblood, No. 2 at Station (C), the Caribbean Branch of the British Secret Service. Trueblood is a former Chief Officer W.R.N.S., described as having ‘dashing good looks’ and ‘elegant knees’ [chapters 1-2]. Her disappearance is the catalyst for the Crab Key investigation, leading Bond to Honey Rider and Julius No. Miss Trueblood copied for the author the manuscript of the first James Bond TV treatment, which was developed into the novel Dr. No.

Provenance: Sotheby's, The Jon Gilbert Collection.

Auction Info

  • Auction Title: Fine Autograph and Artifacts
  • Dates: September 28, 2024 - October 16, 2024





This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
Buy a third-party letter of authenticity for $150.00

*This item has been pre-certified by a trusted third-party authentication service, and by placing a bid on this item, you agree to accept the opinion of this authentication service. If you wish to have an opinion rendered by a different authenticator of your choosing, you must do so prior to your placing of any bid. RR Auction is not responsible for differing opinions submitted 30 days after the date of the sale.