Hoyle’s Hymns and Songs: For Temperance Societies & Bands of Hope.

Early edition of this collection of hymns, inscribed by legendary creator of 007 Ian Fleming. Octavo, bound in the original full black morocco with gilt titles to the spine in six compartments within stamped-in-blind bands, yapp edges, all edges gilt, silk ribbon bound in, illustrated with hymn stanzas. Boldly signed by Ian Fleming in pencil on the third free endpaper, “Swing it! Ian.” Ian Fleming (1908–1964) was a British novelist and former naval intelligence officer whose James Bond books helped define Cold War spy fiction and reshaped popular conceptions of modern espionage. Fleming inscribed Hoyle’s Hymns and Songs to his friend and golf partner Randal Hugh “Hughie” Vivian Smith (1898-1968), Second Baron Bicester, investment banker, and company executive. Ian and Hughie became friends in 1935 whilst holidaying in Le Touquet, following an introduction by Hughie’s wife Lady Helen Dorothy Primrose (granddaughter of Lord Rosebery). Hughie secured Ian a job at Rowe & Pitman, though Hughie would come to describe him as “among the world’s worst stockbrokers”. Their friendship continued, both on and off the golf course. In near fine condition with rubbing to the extremities. Provenance by descent of Randal Hugh Vivian Smith. Housed in a custom clamshell box with gilt titles and ruling. Rare and desirable.