The swimming trunks Daniel Craig wore as James Bond in 2006 film Casino Royale have provided one of the highlights of a Christie's charity auction celebrating 50 years of the spy on the big screen.
The skimpy blue La Perla shorts sold for £44,450 ($71,876), 789% above their £5,000 pre-sale estimate, at the October 5 sale. The result is evidence that when it comes to movie memorabilia, few items can match the immediacy and attraction for collectors of costumes from film's most memorable moments.
 Daniel Craig in his La Perlas |
An Aston Martin DBS driven by Craig in 2008's Quantum of Solace was another leading light.
The 2008 6 Litre V12 2-Door Coupe sold for £241,250 ($390,101) against a £150,000 valuation, while a special edition of Bond creator Ian Fleming's complete works made £91,250 ($147,551), far above its £15,000 estimate.
An Aston Martin DB5 used in the Goldfinger and Thunderball movies during the 1960s, complete with revolving number plates, sold for $4.1m in October 2010 - a record for a piece of Bond memorabilia.
We have Daniel Craig's autograph available today.
The items were brought to auction from the James Bond memorabilia archives of producer of the Bond films, EON Productions.
The company's Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli commented: "What better way to celebrate the 50 year anniversary than by supporting UNICEF and the 11 additional charities who will be benefitting from the auction items donated by the Bond archive and supporters.
"The generosity and dedication of Bond fans will enable the charitable organisations to continue their good work."
 The Aston Martin DBS sold for £241,250 |
A further 40 lots of Bond memorabilia auctioning online at Christie's will close this afternoon.
The sale includes a first edition of Ian Fleming's Dr. No, and a selection of tarot cards used by Jane Seymour in Live and Let Die.
We will bring you full results later today.
