James Bond Pin-Up Cover Art by Michael Gillette
A complete high-resolution gallery of Michael Gillette‘s pin-up Bond Girl book covers from the James Bond Centenary Collection (and where to find them).
To celebrate author Ian Fleming’s 100th birthday in 2008, Penguin commissioned these very cool, very retro, pin-up style covers for 007′s Centenary Edition hardcover reissue. Risque and far from politically incorrect, it’s pretty much pitch-perfect for the 1950s-60s spy series! Continue reading for the full high-res gallery.
With the colouring and lettering art changing from story to story, each novel has a distinct personality while staying firmly within the alluring “body art” theme. Gillette has clearly put an incredible amount of care into each and every design.
The Penguin Blog had the initiative to photograph the lined up book spines and dust jacket design, proving they’re “not so much collectible as bloody irresistible”.
MI6 Confidential Magazine took a behind-the-scenes look at Gillette’s art. Click to enlarge.
MI6 Confidential Magazine scans courtesy of James Bond Prints.
San Francisco’s Electric Works Gallery are currently selling licensed, high-quality prints of each cover – though they aren’t cheap!
Now for the bad news: the 2008 Centenary hardcover editions are difficult to find new these days, though paperback and kindle versions can still be spotted in the wild. For the serious book collectors, each image below will link to the Amazon listing, so you’ll at least have a sporting chance of finding it new or used from another seller. Good luck!
The Complete Bond Girl Pin-Up Cover gallery
Casino Royale
Featuring Vesper Lynd (portrayed by Eva Green in the film)
Live and Let Die
Moonraker
(Perhaps Fleming’s best James Bond novel, largely ignored when adapted into perhaps the worst James Bond film.)
Featuring Gala Brand
Diamonds are Forever
Featuring Tiffany Case (played in the movie by Jill St. John)
From Russia, with Love
Featuring Tatiana Romanova (portrayed in the film by Daniela Bianchi)
Dr. No
Featuring Honey Rider (portrayed in the film by Ursula Andress)
Goldfinger
Featuring (if the gold skin can be taken as foreshadowing) Jill Masterton, played by Shirley Eaton in the film.
For Your Eyes Only (Short Story Collection #1)
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Thunderball
Featuring Diminetta “Domino” Vitali (played by Claudine Auger in the first adaptation, and by Kim Basinger in Never Say Never Again)
The Spy Who Loved Me
Featuring the book’s first-person narrator, Vivienne “Viv” Michel. Isn’t that heart shape is an inspired touch?
On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
Featuring Tracy Bond, a.k.a. Teresa Draco, a.k.a. Contessa Teresa di Vicenzo (played in the film by Diana Rigg)
You Only Live Twice
Featuring Kissy Suzuki (portrayed in the movie version by Mie Hama)
The Man with the Golden Gun]
Octopussy & The Living Daylights (Short Story Collection #2)
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