Propstore is auctioning 400 pieces of James Bond memorabilia online, covering every Bond film. Bidding closes October 27, according to Propstore's press release and SWNS.
The Top Lots
The top lots each carry a pre-sale estimate of £20,000 to £40,000. They include Daniel Craig's grey Tom Ford suit from Skyfall, with shirt, tie and cufflinks, worn in the Istanbul chase, and Ana de Armas's navy silk Paloma dress and silver sandals from No Time to Die, per SWNS and The James Bond Dossier. A set of 14 Jonathan Cape first editions of Ian Fleming's Bond books has the same estimate.
The three headline items each represent a different side of the franchise: costume worn by the lead actor, costume worn by a supporting character, and the literary source material on which the entire series is based.
The Skyfall Suit and the Istanbul Chase
Skyfall, released in 2012 and directed by Sam Mendes, opens with a pursuit through Istanbul that moves from city streets to rooftops and then onto a moving train. The grey suit in the auction is tied to that opening sequence, which is among the most recognizable action scenes of Craig’s tenure as Bond. Tailored suits have long been a defining part of the character’s image, and the inclusion of the shirt, tie and cufflinks means the lot represents a complete outfit rather than a single garment.
Ana de Armas and No Time to Die
No Time to Die, directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, was Craig’s fifth and final outing as Bond. De Armas appeared as Paloma, an agent Bond meets during a mission in Cuba, in a sequence that audiences often point to as one of the film’s livelier set pieces despite the character’s limited screen time. The navy silk dress and silver sandals are the costume associated with that appearance, and their place among the top lots shows how much collectors value wardrobe from supporting roles as well as from the star.
The Fleming First Editions
Ian Fleming introduced James Bond in the novel Casino Royale in 1953, and the books were published in Britain by Jonathan Cape. A set of 14 first editions from that publisher gives collectors a link to the character’s origins long before the film series began. Its estimate matches those of the film costumes, which indicates how closely the market treats rare literary editions and screen-used wardrobe as peers.
More Lots Across the Series
Other lots include a British quad poster for Dr. No, estimated at £8,000 to £16,000, and an Octopussy special effects model unit clapperboard at £4,000 to £8,000. Propstore lists the estimates in dollars as roughly $27,000 to $53,000 for the top lots.
Dr. No was the first film in the series, released in 1962, so a British quad poster from that release comes from the very start of the franchise. The Octopussy clapperboard, by contrast, is a behind-the-scenes production item from the 1983 film, tied to the special effects work done with scale models. Together, the two lots show that the sale reaches beyond costumes to marketing material and filmmaking equipment from different decades.
How the Sale Works
Alastair McCrea, Propstore's Director of Consignments, said Bond “has meant something to generations of film fans.” Bidding is online only and open worldwide through Propstore.com. All figures are Propstore's own estimates, not final prices.
Propstore is a company that specializes in entertainment memorabilia, and its sales regularly draw buyers from many countries. Pre-sale estimates are a guide set by the auction house before bidding begins, and the prices at which items finally sell can land above or below those ranges. For a franchise that has run for more than six decades and spans multiple lead actors, a 400-lot sale covering every Bond film gives fans a broad selection of items to bid on, from affordable collectibles to the high-value pieces at the top of the catalog.
Why Bond Memorabilia Draws Collectors
The Bond series began with Dr. No in 1962 and has continued through several actors in the lead role, each bringing a different style to the part. That long history means collectors can build a collection around a favorite era, a favorite actor or a specific kind of item, such as costumes, posters, books or production equipment. Because many of the films relied on practical stunts, detailed wardrobes and physical models, a large amount of material was created over the years, and the pieces that survive in private and studio collections continue to attract attention whenever they appear at auction.