Sir Roger Moore sale has star power

The Personal Collection of Sir Roger Moore was 100% sold recently at Bonhams New Bond Street, London. The collection was offered directly by Sir Roger Moore’s family, and included important James Bond memorabilia, collectables and personal ephemera.

The top lot was a collection of 20 Swatch 007 wristwatches with presentation case dedicated to Sir Roger Moore to commemorate the 40th anniversary of James Bond on film, which sold for £76,000, against an estimate of £10,000 – £20,000.

The 224-lot achieved a total of £1,117,300, against a pre-sale high estimate of £415,300. The auction, which took place live in London, ran from 1pm until 10.20pm with bidding from around the world.

Highlights included Sir Roger Moore’s white ski suit from A View to a Kill, which sold for £28,160 (estimate: £15,000 – 25,000), and an Omega special edition 50 Years of 007 Seamaster, which sold for £57,550 (estimate: £20,000 – 30,000).

Harvey Cammell, Bonhams Global Director, Valuations & Private Collections, commented: “Sir Roger Moore was a legend of the silver screen, who made the role of 007 his own, and the immense scale of his legacy was clearly reflected in this exceptional sale. It has been a real honour to have been entrusted by the Moore family with Sir Roger’s personal collection, and we are delighted with the response. As this 9-hour auction showed, nobody does it better.”

Geoffrey Moore, son of Sir Roger Moore, said on behalf of the Moore family: “We always knew our father was popular, but never fathomed just how much he was loved. We are overwhelmed by the incredible success of the sale which surpassed all our expectations, and we are thrilled to share his legacy with his adored fans. We want to thank Bonhams for their tireless work. They have poured love, care, and passion into this sale. We are truly grateful to everyone who took part.”

Other highlights of the sale included:

• A collection of twenty Swatch 007 wristwatches with presentation case dedicated to Sir Roger Moore to commemorate the 40th anniversary of James Bond on film. Sold for £76,000. (Estimate: £10,000 – £20,000).
• An Omega stainless steel automatic triple calendar chronograph wristwatch. Speedmaster Automatic MK40, Ref: 38205300, Circa 1995. Sold for £61,400. (Estimate: £5,000 – 7,000).
• A Douglas Hayward double-breasted mohair dinner suit made for Sir Roger Moore in A View To A Kill, 1985. Sold for £25,600. (Estimate: £20,000-  30,000).
• A double-breasted mohair dinner suit reputedly by Angelo Roma and believed to have been made for Sir Roger Moore in The Spy Who Loved Me,1977. Sold for £23,000. (Estimate: £20,000 – 30,000).
• A Cyril Castle navy cashmere double-breasted Chesterfield coat made for Sir Roger Moore in Live And Let Die, 1973. Sold for £19,200. Estimate: £7,000 – 10,000).
• Sir Roger Moore’s extensively used British passport, 1991-2001. Sold for £12,200. (Estimate: £2,000 – £3,000).
• A large red simulated leather backgammon case belonging to Sir Roger Moore. Sold for £15,400. (Estimate: £300 – £500). It is believed that Sir Roger Moore used the board on set against Albert “Cubby” Broccoli, for high stakes.
• Poster for the film Octopussy, 1983. Sold for £14,100. (Estimate: £500 – 700).
• Sir Roger Moore Hollywood Walk of Fame plaque commemorating the placement of Sir Roger’s star on 11 October 2007. Sold for £24,300. (Estimate: £10,000 – 15,000).
• A glass UNICEF award from the German committee presented to Sir Roger Moore. Dated 14 October 2007, Sir Roger’s 80th birthday. With a collection of UNICEF speeches, passes and ephemera. Sold for £2,816. (Estimate: £700 – 1,000).

Sir Roger Moore (1927-2017) is synonymous with the style and sophistication of James Bond, having played the spy in a total of seven films, more than any other actor in the EON series, including in Live and Let Die (1973), The Spy Who Loved Me (1977), For Your Eyes Only (1981), Octopussy (1983), and A View to a Kill (1985). More than this, Sir Roger became one of the style symbols of his generation and an icon of British cool, with his credits also including the TV shows The Saint (1962-1969) and The Persuaders (1971).

Alongside work as an actor, Sir Roger Moore was also a passionate UNICEF ambassador. The family will be donating a percentage of the sale proceeds to UNICEF.