Look out Blofeld... The movie theatre trailer for Diamonds are Forever |
The top lot was a valuable poster for the classic James Bond movie Diamonds are Forever (1971, Eon/United Artists), starring Sean Connery.
The original hand-painted concept artwork by Robert E McGinnis for the poster campaign was signed by the artist. It was expected to do well, carrying a £18,000-24,000 listing, but it easily tripled the top of that range to sell for £79,250 ($129,970) to an American collector.
Not only was this a world record price for any item of James Bond film poster memorabilia, it was also a world record price for a concept artwork at auction, according to Christie's.
Of course Bond memorabilia is valuable in general. Collectors are often interested in collecting all the autographs or a piece of memorabilia from all of the Bond actors, (Connery, Lazenby, Moore, Dalton, Brosnan and Craig) or all the films.
Whilst the Bond poster was the biggest hit, the other two world records were all the more remarkable as bidders disregarded the prices listed completely.
It was once more a US collector who picked up a single sheet poster for the 1942 celebrated classic Casablanca which had been cautiously listed at just £5,000-7,000 but finally fell for £30,000 ($49,020).
Likewise, a six-sheet, roadshow, poster for the 1962 film Lawrence of Arabia starring Peter O'Toole multiplied its £3,000-5,000 estimate to bring £18,750 ($30,638).
Even that was not the end of the records, as Christie's Specialist Rachel Reilly explained:
"We are delighted with the results of the sale," she enthused, "particularly the world record price achieved for the original concept artwork for Diamonds Are Forever, which sold for £79,250.
"It was a busy sale with many bids taken in the auction room and on the telephones, but the majority of vintage film posters were sold online, including the two top lots. 61% of lots were bought or directly underbid via Christie's LIVE.
"The sale achieved world record prices for a number of film posters, including Breakfast at Tiffany's (lot 70) which sold for £12,500, and The Sting (lot 188) which sold for £8,750.
"The sale featured over 30 original James Bond film posters dating from 1962 through to 1985. Offered by various owners the James Bond section totalled £131,546, proving the enduring appeal and popularity of the famous and iconic British secret agent."
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