Richard Wasey Chopping (14 April 1917 – 17 April 2008) was a British illustrator and author best known for painting the dust jackets of Ian Fleming's James Bond novels starting with From Russia, with Love (1957). Chopping was born in Colchester, Essex and educated at Gresham's School, Holt.
He painted in the trompe l'oeil style, creating a realistic and almost three-dimensional appearance. Among his illustrations are nine covers from 1957 to 1966 for James Bond books by Ian Fleming and the cover of John Gardner's first Bond continuation novel, Licence Renewed (1981).
Book covers[]
From Russia, with Love (1957)
Goldfinger (1959)
For Your Eyes Only (1960)
Thunderball (1961)
The Spy Who Loved Me (1962)
You Only Live Twice (1964)
The Man with the Golden Gun (1965)
Licence Renewed (1981)