Steve Oxenrider’s James Bond collection includes rare posters, film ticket stubs, brochures and lobby cards used to promote the movies. The world’s biggest James Bond collector is selling off his entire catalog of memorabilia - which could fetch a total of $1.2 million at auction. PHOTO BY SWNS
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The world’s biggest James Bond collector is selling off his entire catalog of memorabilia – which could fetch a total of $1.2 million at auction.
Steve Oxenrider’s vast hoard of around 32,000 items, including rare posters, film ticket stubs, brochures and numerous lobby cards used to promote the movies.
But the retired teacher, from San Francisco, Calif., has now decided to put his collection under the hammer after spending a lifetime amassing the rarities.
And his collection is so big, it will have to be sold in two parts, with the combined estimate topping £1million.
It has now been shipped across the Atlantic to Ewbank’s Auction House in Woking, Surrey, with the first half of the collection set to be sold in November.
Steve, who is a leading expert in Bond, revealed he still romanticizes the early films for their storylines and depiction of the mysterious 007 agent.
He said: “The earlier films through the 1960s were unique and spectacular in their exciting storylines and a proven formula of exotic locations, girls, gadgets and super-villains, all with a certain fantasy element.
“To me the first three films, plus On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, are flawless.
“Thunderball has the greatest sentimental value to me as it was the first one I saw on the big screen.
“Goldfinger is my favorite because it’s probably Connery’s best performance as 007 and is fast-paced.”
Steve’s incredible collection has a huge number of original posters dating back to when the secret agent first graced the silver screen.
They include British Quad posters for Dr No, which launched the series in 1962 and were illustrated by Mitchell Hooks, that are valued at £15,000.
And others for Thunderball, which hit cinemas in 1965 – designed by Frank McCarthy and by Robert McGinnis – which have been given the same estimate.
The sale also includes a British Double Crown Advance ‘Style-A’ film poster for From Russia with Love, released in 1963, which is valued at up to £8,000.
And there is also a ‘Style-B’ poster designed by Robert Brownjohn for Goldfinger, screened in 1964, which was produced exclusively for promoting the film in Ireland.
This was created to appease censors scandalised by the image of the bikini-clad Bond girl in the original design – and could reach up to £8,000 at auction.
Beyond the posters, Steve has also amassed material from the films’ lavish premieres.
And one of the most important examples is the Thunderball Gala Charity Premiere brochure from December 29, 1965.
This is signed to the inside by Luciana Paluzzi, who played Spectre assassin Fiona Volpe in the film, and it’s expected to sell for up to £1,000.
A Royal World Charity Premiere brochure for a screening of You Only Live Twice at the Odeon Theatre Leicester Square dated June 12, 1967 has a top estimate of £800.
While a brochure for Live and Let Die at the Odeon Leicester Square, from July 5, 1973, which is signed by Paul and Linda McCartney, could reach £600.
Steve revealed that despite owning the world’s largest bond collection, he still wished he had contact sheets and call sheets from the earlier Bonds in his possession.
He said: “They provide an intriguing insight into the production of a film.”
And his best advice to those looking at potentially starting a Bond collection was to research the material wisely and speak to those with experience.
He said: “Do research on auction websites—Ewbank’s, eMovie Poster, Heritage Auctions, eBay—to see what’s available and price estimates.
“Unfortunately, prices of most vintage material from the 1960-70s are prohibitive. Limit what you’re looking for and how much you want to invest.
“[But] get in touch with trusted established, older collectors that might have material to sell or trade.”
Posters from the earliest films in the Bond franchise lead the highlights in the first two-day sale, which is set to be held on November 16 and 17.
While a second sale, scheduled for spring next year, is expected to bring in a total of £1m for the whole collection.
Ewbank’s partner and Head of Entertainment Memorabilia, Alastair McCrea, said he was thrilled to auction the “breathtaking” lot.
He said: “We have been holding dedicated James Bond auctions for years now, but this collection is on an entirely new level.
“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.
“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.”
Produced in association with SWNS Talker
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