James Bond attaché case is killer lot

A limited edition official attaché case replica from the second 007 film From Russia With Love, seen as the Holy Grail among collectors of James Bond memorabilia, was the top lot in a recent sale in Surrey.

The case sold for a premium-inclusive £20,000 at Ewbank’s.

Released by S.D. Studios and numbered No. 008 of 100, it contains two hidden daggers with working ejection mechanism, magnetic talcum powder container, concealed gold Sovereigns (10 on each strap), rounds of ammunition (plastic replica and deactivated) concealed in hidden brass tubes, a replica of a bug detector in its leather case issued by TV Models, original SD Studios folder containing mission paperwork and operating instructions, and an AR-7 Replica BB Rifle.

The designers took all the measurements from the original film prop used by Sean Connery to create this official collectable.

The auction house’s recent James Bond 007 auction also took £18,125 for an extremely rare four-design advance British quad poster for Thunderball from 1965 – the finest example specialist Alastair McCrea has ever seen.

An original poster for the first film in the franchise, Dr No, took £16,875, while a limited edition replica golden gun signed by both Roger Moore and Christopher Lee sold for £7,500.

In all, the top ten lots made a combined total of more than £83,000, with 95% of all lots changing hands at the sale.

“This remains one of the most popular fields of collecting around,” said McCrea. “We have been holding dedicated auctions for Bond props, costumes, collectables and posters for a long time now and the appetite among bidders is as strong as ever.”