• Wob, the UK's leading seller of used books and media, have discovered an ultra-rare piece of Bond memorabilia inside a 1965 edition of the novel, Thunderball
• The original ‘Domino Letter’, apparently handwritten by Bond’s love interest in the novel and movie, was only included in a limited number of Thunderball 14th edition
• It was an early example of product placement and was a marketing stunt by Player's Cigarettes to tie in with the movie release
• Today, the mysterious letter is sought-after by Bond collectors with fans paying big money to get their hands on a copy
When Bond-lovers purchased the 14th edition of Ian Fleming’s Thunderball in 1965, sometimes they would find what appeared to be a private note tucked away within the pages. They could have been mistaken for believing they had discovered a long-forgotten love letter that had been hidden away for safe keeping – but not all was as it first seemed.
The ‘handwritten’ love letter written by Bond Girl, Domino, to her ‘Darling’ James after the events of the novel and blockbuster movie was, in fact, an early example of product placement and movie tie-in strategies that are now a staple of film and product promotion. A sneaky advertisement for Player’s Cigarettes, it was only ever placed within a select few copies of the novel and is now so rare that avid collectors of Bond memorabilia are prepared to pay big money to get their hands on a copy.
The letter was discovered this month by Wob, the UK’s largest retailer of preloved books. Books published prior to 1970 are dealt with by their dedicated team of rare book specialists and every item is checked by hand and individually valued.
Graham Bell, CEO of Wob’s parent company, World of Books Group, said:
“Over 75 million used books come through our business each year – so it’s not unusual to come across things such as letters hidden away between the pages. It’s incredibly common for people to place sentimental items for safe keeping. It seems marketers in the sixties were also aware of this and came up with this ingenious idea which would still work today. Movie tie-ins and product placement are commonplace now, but this would have been so new and exciting at the time.”
The authenticated letter is in pristine condition and is now for sale at wob.com alongside the original copy of Thunderball.
Letter text
Darling,
I wondered at first whether I should write this letter, but I know you will understand. It hardly seems possible that we could be so far apart after what happened.
Carlo is kind. Of course I love him, and the children make up for everything.
But once in a while I remember… our first drive… our first supper together in the Casino. You ordered Champagne. And I told you about my hero – the sailor on the front of the packet of Player’s. (I believe you were jealous!)
This Christmas we’re coming to London. I know you’re terribly busy, but couldn’t you just find one spare evening when we could meet and talk and laugh about old times?
Do please say yes. And don’t let that horrible old ‘M’ give you any assignment over the holiday.
I think of you –
Ciao-
Domino
P.S. Came across this book in Nassau yesterday. You must read pages 152 – 155.
-ENDS-
Media contact:
Nick Ford,
Brand Communications Manager at World of Books Group,
[email protected]
About World of Books Group
