'Real' Bond novels fetch £31,200

The novels include an early edition of Casino Royale

A collection of James Bond memorabilia owned by the man thought to be the inspiration for the fictional spy has fetched more than £31,000 in Edinburgh.

The novels were owned by the late Sir Fitzroy Maclean, a former diplomat, soldier and MP.

He became friends with Ian Fleming, the author of the James Bond novels, before World War II.

Sir Fitzroy's collection of novels, other personal papers and pictures were expected to sell for up to £20,000.

The collection was sold at auctioneers Lyon and Turnbull. It went under the hammer for £26,000 but auction house commission made the price rise to £31,200.

Sir Fitzroy was based at embassies in Paris and Moscow and was parachuted into Nazi-occupied Yugoslavia on a secret wartime mission to help Tito.

During the war he volunteered for and distinguished himself in the newly established SAS in North Africa.

The novels on sale included early editions of Casino Royale, Moonraker, Dr No and From Russia with Love.

Describing the works, the Lyon and Turnbull catalogue said: "Various models have been suggested as the prototype for modern fiction's most famous hero, and of them all Sir Fitzroy Maclean - diplomat, war hero, traveller, clan chieftain and outstanding public servant - is one of the most plausible."