With the publication of his first novel on April 13, 1953, author Ian Fleming created a fictional character that gave a new meaning to the numbers “007.”

“Name: Bond, James. Height: 183cm, weight: 76 kilograms; slim build; eyes: blue; hair: black; scar down right cheek and on left shoulder; signs of plastic surgery on back of right hand; all-round athlete; expert pistol shot, boxer, knife-thrower; does not use disguises,” Fleming wrote in “From Russia With Love,” the fifth novel of the James Bond series. “Languages: French and German. Smokes heavily (NB: special cigarettes with three gold bands); vices: drink, but not to excess, and women. Not thought to accept bribes.”

This description of a British intelligence officer would become known worldwide over the course of 60 years as an iconic figure in books, films, music and related spinoffs. And, beginning this month, students, faculty and community members will have the opportunity to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the James Bond character. 

Due to the collaboration between the Ian Fleming Foundation (IFF) and the University, students can pay homage to the James Bond legacy by participating in “The Birth of Bond” events on campus. Events and exhibits will take place at Spurlock Museum, Rare Book & Manuscript Library and Sousa Archives and Center for American Music.

Founded by Michael van Blaricum, Doug Redenius and John Cork, IFF’s goal is to find, restore and preserve Fleming’s original works and any by-products of the original James Bond series. They believe that the James Bond phenomenon warranted examination and appreciation because of its large part in post-World War II Western culture. 

“This meant looking at the big picture and archiving and preserving the history,” Cork said. “When you have something that is tremendously popular, it is hard to capture the moment.”  

The University’s Rare Book & Manuscript Library will highlight Bond’s work through their exhibit “‘Casino Royale’ and Beyond: 60 Years of Ian Fleming’s Literary Bond” until July 12. It will include Fleming’s short stories, first editions of the Bond books, original cover art of the 1955 British paperback edition of “Moonraker” and a typeset manuscript of “Casino Royale” on loan from the Indiana University’ Lilly Library. 

“The Michael L. Van Blaricum Collection of Ian Fleming and Bondiana” will also be display at Rare Book and Manuscript Library as a part of the “The Birth of Bond” celebration. The collection is the result of Van Blaricum’s interest in Bond books that began after he saw the film “Goldfinger” at age 14. Years later, he started his collection when he found several first editions at secondhand bookstores and through rare book dealers.

Spurlock’s exhibit, “Unconventional Bond: The Strange Life of Casino Royale on Film,”will tell the history of the films “Casino Royale” and “Thunderball” and explore why there are multiple adaptations of the books. 

“The exhibit tells the remarkable story of why this (phenomenon) happened and includes original scripts and props related to the various films,” said Wayne Pitard, director at Spurlock Museum and one of the organizers behind the 60th anniversary. On display will be props, scripts, posters and an Aston Martin Volante. The exhibit runs until June 16. 

Spurlock will have an accompanying film festival from April 26 to 28, which will show three versions of “Casino Royale”and two versions of “Thunderball.”The “Casino Royale” versions include the 1954 CBS television version starring Barry Nelson, a 1967 parody starring David Niven, Woody Allen, Orson Welles and others as Bond, and the 2006 version starring Daniel Craig.  For “Thunderball,” the two versions are the 1965 film and the 1983 remake “Never Say Never Again,” both starring Sean Connery. 

Cork will introduce the films and give lectures at the festival. 

The first lecture will be on the literary and cinematic history behind “Casino Royale,” Fleming’s first James Bond novel. The second will look at the history of Fleming’s ninth novel “Thunderball,”the films and screenplays it spawned and the “remarkable legal history that has haunted this Bond story,” Cork said.

“The story of James Bond and the character’s longevity is the story of popular culture in our society. These lectures will look at Bond’s history as a counterpoint to our own history,” Cork said.

In addition to the James Bond books and movies, the music from the films has been an prominent part of James Bond culture. In order to highlight the importance of the films’ music, the Sousa Archives and Center for American Music will also host an exhibit from April 12 to March 14, 2014. The exhibit, “The James Bond Theme: Music to Live, Die and Love Another Day.” will feature music, photographs, art and oral history interviews related to James Bond.

Rohaina can be reached at [email protected].