Auction: The John Griswold Collection

On October 4, 2010, Winter Associates, Inc. will auction the John Griswold Collection of Ian Fleming and James Bond Memorabilia. Mr Griswold is best known among Bond fans for his book Ian Fleming’s James Bond: Annotations and Chronologies for Ian Fleming’s Bond Stories, the research materials for which will also be part of the auction.

The Griswold Collection is one of the major Bond/Fleming collections in the world, many of the items are extremely rare or even unique, and it’s highly unlikely that something similar will be on the market in the near future. Apart from many Bond related books of all kinds, the collection contains a large number of rare posters, movie stills, original drawings and concept art, toys and movie memorabilia. Many of the items are signed.

A brief overview:

• Books (1,000+ books in 60 lots): 14 Fleming first editions, Jonathan Cape; Fleming Centenary Ed., Queen Anne Press; Fleming signed 1st ed. OHMSS; Sable Basilisk (privately printed, 1 of 6 known); Fleming-owned book, 1907 w/ clamshell; Eaton Press & other sets; signed ltd. eds. by Gardner, Higson, Wood, Lycett et al; 1st ed. paperbacks; Griswold’s research library; comic books, etc.

• Fine Art & Sculpture: 4 signed Robert McGinnis illustrations: YOLT, OHMSS, & DAF (2); Mort Drucker, 2 MAD stories, etc.; rare Fleming bust, comm. by Cape, c. 1966 (1 of 6 known); Fleming & Bond busts/figs.; custom-made Fleming medallions, etc.

• Posters/Lobby Cards (130 posters in 100+ lots): Dr. No US 1 Sheets (2); British Quads: Dr. No, FRWL, Goldfinger, Thunderball, YOLT, & more; complete sets of US lobby & British FoH cards; US 2 & 3 Sheets; foreign incl. Photobustas, etc.

• Photos (1,000+ photos in 20+ lots): Connery, Lazenby, Dalton signed; ‘Bond Girls’ signed; stills & contact sheets, many 1960s, some w/ Fleming, etc.

• Toys (150 toys in 40+ lots, many mint in box): Corgi Moon Buggy, model 811A, 1972; Multiple Toymakers camera, 1966; rare Whizzwheels Bobsleighs (2); Aston Martin DB5s, model 270A, 1973 (2); Mego & Sideshow action figures; trading card sets; Gilbert, Johnny Lighting, Dinky cars; Corgi & Little Lead Soldiers figures, etc.

• Ephemera: Call sheets, storyboards, & release/shooting scripts; court docs & photos from Fleming/McClory cases; magazines; promotional, press, & advertising materials, etc.

• Also: Custom-made 14K Spectre ring; Golden Gun (2); replica Fabergé egg; framed prints; Franklin Mint plates & cars; Griswold’s research materials; CDs & DVDs, etc.

A complete online catalogue for the auction can be found here. Winter Associates are also offering a CD for $7 that includes a book-format pdf catalog as well as high-resolution images of each lot.

To learn more about the auction and the reasons for it, read the full press release below:

Plainville, CT – On Monday, October 4th, Winter Associates will offer for sale the John Griswold Ian Fleming-James Bond Collection. Griswold is the author of the 2005 publication, Ian Fleming’s James Bond: Annotations and Chronologies for Ian Fleming’s Bond Stories. In 1963, the release of Dr. No, the first James Bond movie, sparked John’s Griswold’s passion for Bond. The then ten-year-old Griswold soon became a fan of Ian Fleming’s series of novels. A native of Simsbury, CT, Griswold has continued to acquire Fleming and Bond-related items since the 1960s. Griswold’s diverse and extensive collection reflects his interest in the cultural impact made by Ian Fleming and the character of James Bond. This single-consignor collection is valued at almost $250,000 and is certain to delight Bond collectors all around the world.

Griswold’s literary collection includes the fourteen first editions of Ian Fleming’s James Bond novels, a Fleming Centenary Edition published by the Queen Anne press (limited to an edition of 59), a first edition of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service signed by Fleming, as well as a 1907 book from Fleming’s own library along with its clamshell. The iconic image of Sean Connery holding a helmet and gun from You Only Live Twice painted by Robert McGinnis for the Bond movie posters is one of four original McGinnis works that Griswold once prominently displayed in his home but are now offered in this sale. Rare first-release posters, lobby cards, early toys, and signed photographs will round out the 280+ lot auction.

On the sale of her husband’s collection, Debbie Griswold elaborates: “It is with sadness and nostalgia that I report that John’s health has declined significantly in the past two years. Early-onset Alzheimer’s has taken its toll on John, and he is no longer researching or collecting. As we move into the next chapter of our life, we must leave behind John’s collection. My hope is that John’s research materials and these items from the fascinating worlds of Ian Fleming and James Bond will bring the next owner/collector the same enjoyment and satisfaction that they brought to John.”

CBn wishes the Griswold family all the best for the auction, as well as lots of strength and courage for the difficult times and challenges which they are facing.

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