2017-01-04 Wed

James Bond is a name people across the world are familiar with. The James Bond series written by Ian Fleming was adapted into movies and there are over 24 films. These films are a part of the longest continually running and the third-highest grossing film series to date; starting in 1962 with Dr. No.

However, have you ever wondered where did Ian Flaming come up with such an exciting name? Born on 4th January 1900, James Bond was an Ornithologist (an expert on birds) and wrote a book Birds of the West Indies (1936). Fleming, also a keen bird watcher had read Bond’s book and chose that name for the hero of his book Casino Royale (1953) as he felt the name sounded as ordinary as possible.

He wrote to the real Bond and his wife if he could use the name as it was a very brief, unromantic, Anglo-Saxon yet masculine name; they were ok with it. He also met the real James Bond during one of his visits to Jamaica. During different parts of the film we see Bond’s bookmaking appearances; like in the 2002 Bond film Die Another Day, the fictional Bond, played by Pierce Brosnan, can be seen examining Birds of the West Indies in an early scene that takes place in Havana, Cuba.

The Royal mail released these 1st class stamps on 8th January 2008 to commemorate Ian Fleming’s 100th birthday. These stamps show 4 different posters for 2 of the books of the series, Casino Royale, and Dr. No.