VINTAGE BOND

It seems to be a step back in time as Vintage publishing acquiring exclusive English-language rights to the 14 Bond novels in worldwide, excluding US and Canada, for a 10-year period. Vintage takes over the print rights from Penguin, which never held the digital rights, a scenario which saw Ian Fleming Publications release the e-books itself in late 2010.
I say a step back in time as Jonathan Cape, Vintage's sister imprint, was the first publisher of Bond, starting with Casino Royale in 1953. Vintage will publish in both its Classic and standard paperback ranges.

Penguin released the Bond series with very striking covers, and I wonder whether or not Vintage will go back to the old style covers or come out with something new.


Penguin Hardback covers

 The Pan covers were very striking as you can see even from the two versions of Casino Royale below.

Corinne Turner from IFP said the company looked at the decision to include the e-book rights this time around "very carefully". She said: "When we were launching e-books in the UK ourselves, we were never saying we would keep e-book rights locked away forever. To look after Fleming in the current market, you need to have the full rights to manage the brand." Curtis Brown agent Jonny Geller, who handled the deal, added: "We didn't have any problem rolling the e-book rights back in—it shows publishers have moved on, and have a lot to offer."

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the first Bond film, "Dr No". 2012 will also see the release of "Skyfall" the 23rd in the series with Daniel Craig back as Bond. But looking at this photo, Craig doesn't look a happy bunny whilst filming on location. I don't know about shaken not stirred, more like gone through the ringer!