Will bidders spy Ian Fleming cufflinks
An enigmatic pair of cufflinks, reputedly once owned by James Bond creator Ian Fleming, is included in a sale at Mallams on November 17 in Oxford.
It is believed that Ian Lancaster Fleming (May 28, 1908-August 12, 1964) wore these cultured pearl set cufflinks to the ‘Dr No’ post film screening party in 1962.
The backs of the cufflinks are inscribed with different letters – ‘WUS’, ‘SIL’, ‘UDH’ and ‘NUF’ – believed to represent a so far unsolved secret code – a perfect code-breaking mission for any aspiring spies.
Ian Fleming’s service in the Naval Intelligence Division during the Second World War, together with his experiences as a journalist, inspired much of his writing for the character of James Bond, an officer in the Secret Intelligence Service. Bond was introduced in the 1952 novel ‘Casino Royale’ and so captured the public’s imagination that Fleming penned eleven further Bond novels, two collections of short stories with subsequent adaptations for film, television and radio.
These circular cufflinks, which come to Mallams by family descent, are sure to prove popular with James Bond enthusiasts and carry an estimate of £800-£1,200.