James Bond film collection set for killer prices
A life-long James Bond film fan, collector and freelance writer is shipping his collection of 007 rarities across the Atlantic from the USA to be sold at Surrey auction house, Ewbank’s.
Steve Oxenrider is a retired educator who has contributed to many Bond books and publications, as well as being credited on the supplementary features for several of the DVDs.
Rare original posters for some of the earliest films in the Bond franchise lead the highlights in the first two-day sale on November 16 and 17, which is expected to fetch up to £300,000. The top ten lots alone come with a high estimate of over £65,000.
Examples in the sales include
British Quad (30 x 40in) posters for Dr No (1962), the film that launched the series, with illustration by Mitchell Hooks, and for Thunderball (1965), the design featuring two panels of poster illustration on the left by Frank McCarthy and two on the right by Robert McGinnis. This poster was designed to be cut into four pieces and very few examples (complete or otherwise) have survived. Each of the two posters is estimated at £12,000-£15,000.
A British double crown advance Style A film poster for From Russia with Love (1964). Measuring 20 x 30 inches, it has a guide of £6,000-£8,000
A British Quad poster, Style B, with artwork by Robert Brownjohn, for Goldfinger (1964). This alternate design was produced exclusively for promoting the film in Ireland to appease censors scandalised by the image of the bikini-clad Bond girl in the original design. It is pitched at £5,000-£8,000
A British Quad poster designed by Robert McGinnis for Thunderball (1965), estimated at £3,000-£5,000
A British Quad poster Style A, designed by Robert Brownjohn, for Goldfinger (1964) with a £3,000-£5,000 estimate
An alternative yellow version of the British Quad poster for You Only Live Twice (1960s), estimate of £1,500-£2,500
A Style A (Volcano) British Quad poster for You Only Live Twice (1967), estimated at £800-£1,200
A Style B British Quad poster for You Only Live Twice (1967), with a £600-£900 estimate.
Beyond the posters, Steve Oxenrider also specialised in collecting material linked to the films’ premieres, including tickets, brochures, as well as numerous lobby cards used to promote films within the cinemas themselves.
One of the most important examples in his collection is the Thunderball (1965) Gala Charity Premiere brochure from Wednesday December 29, 1965, signed to the inside by Luciana Paluzzi, who played SPECTRE assassin Fiona Volpe in the film. It should sell for £700-£1,000.
Another, a Royal World Charity Premiere brochure from Odeon Theatre Leicester Square on Monday June 12, 1967 for You Only Live Twice (1967), has an estimate of £500-£800.
Oxenrider also secured premier brochures for other films in the franchise, including a Royal World Premiere brochure for On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969) at the Odeon, Leicester Square on Thursday December 18, 1969 that should take £400-£600, the same estimate for the Gala Scottish Premiere brochure for Odeon Theatre, Edinburgh January 14, 1972, for Diamonds Are Forever (1971). A Royal World Charity Premiere brochure for Live and Let Die (1973) at the Odeon Leicester Square July 5, 1973, which is signed on the front by Paul and Linda McCartney – the former wrote and performed the theme tune – is also expected to sell for £400-£600.
Media campaign books for some of the films will also be on offer at £500-£800 each, including those for Dr No, From Russia With Love, Goldfinger and Thunderball.
“We have been holding dedicated James Bond auctions for years now, but this collection is on an entirely new level,” said Ewbank’s partner and Head of Entertainment Memorabilia, Alastair McCrea. “We take it as a compliment at Ewbank’s that Steve has chosen to send the collection to us in the UK to offer it auction, rather than keep it in the US.”
He added: “The sheer breadth and depth of the collection is breathtaking, and a tribute to the dedication and perspicacity of Steve Oxenrider – the ultimate collector of 007 material. Together with the part two of the collection, which we will offer next year, the November auction promises to be a landmark event for Bond fans and serious collectors.”