Corgi Aston Martin Fetches $2,100 At Bonhams Auction

As CBn reported two days ago, several die-cast model James Bond vehicles were set to be auctioned off as part of Corgi’s ‘Number Ones’–the first item off the production line–sale at Bonhams which took place on 3 October in Solihull, West Midlands.

According to a press release after the event, a prototype model of the Goldfinger‘s Aston Martin DB5 sold for an impressive £1,050 (roughly $2,100), making it the highest selling 007 item at the sale.

Other notable Bond die-cast models included the Production Line Number Seven James Bond Casino Briefcase, which fetched £900 ($1,800) and an Aston Martin DBS from Casino Royale, which sold for £680 ($1,360).

Click here to visit the official Bonhams website for a listing of all the featured James Bond models at the auction.

Keep watching CBn for all the latest news from the world of 007.

Corgi James Bond 'Number Ones' Go Under The Hammer

A massive collection of highly prized Corgi ‘Number Ones’–the first item off the production line–including many James Bond 007 items, is going up for sale at Bonhams’ Knowle salerooms in Solihull, West Midlands on 3 October 2007.

Click Here To View The Corgi James Bond ‘Number Ones’ Up For Sale

Corgi James Bond ‘Number Ones’ Go Under The Hammer

Bonhams–the international fine art auctioneers–has been appointed by Corgi–one of the best-known die-cast model makers in the world–to sell its archive of coveted prototype and “Number One” vehicles. The unique auction will take place on 3 October 2007 at Bonhams’ Knowle salerooms in Solihull, West Midlands.

Corgi was one of the first companies to produce limited edition toys specifically for collectors. Until now, it has been Corgi’s policy to retain the first item off the production line for the archive and it is a selection of these ‘Number One’s’ that Bonhams will sell along with a selection of prototypes used in the manufacturing process, such has hand-painted resin samples and mock-ups.

With over 500 lots for sale the stars of the auction will be the “Number One” models and collectors will be given the unprecedented opportunity of bidding for classic archive properties including models relating to:

• James Bond 007
• Star Trek
• Batman
• The Beatles
• The Thunderbirds
• Captain Scarlet
• The Muppets
• Dr Who
• Starsky & Hutch
• Knightrider
• Only Fools & Horses
• The Avengers
• Noddy

Items from Corgi’s Aviation ranges, such as Spitfires and The Battle Of Britain, will be sold too, along with a selection of classic car models, buses and coaches, commercial, haulage, transport and vehicle ranges.

Corgi will also make one very special lot available at Bonhams’ auction. The “Corgi Golden One” lot will guarantee the successful bidder the “Number One” model from every Corgi Collector die-cast to be released in 2008, comprising over 350 models delivered direct to their door – all certified as the “Number One” of each release. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a unique collection.

“Corgi has a rich heritage stretching back over 50 years, but this means that our archive has reached pretty sizeable proportions and in order to maintain the archive for the collectors of the future we need to make some room,” says Darren Epstein, Executive Vice President of Global Business Development at Corgi International. “We felt there was no better way to make space for the next 50 years than to open up the archive and allow everyone a chance to obtain some of the cherished content. Of course we will be sad to see our ‘firstborns’ go but we know that they will be going to excellent homes.

“We are delighted that Bonhams has chosen to recognise the popularity of a contemporary collectible by supporting this auction. Corgi products are very popular with both hardcore and casual collectors of all ages and this auction is an excellent opportunity for anybody to obtain legitimately unique and highly collectable items that have never been made available before.”

Sale catalogues listing all of the Corgi items to be sold by Bonhams, cost £15 each plus postage and packaging. To order a copy, please call Bonhams’ Catalogue Subscriptions on +44 (0)1666 502 200

New James Bond Art Prints – The Robert McGinnis Hollywood Edition

Two new art prints have just been released as part of the Robert McGinnis Hollywood Edition collection.

As originally reported by CBn back in December 2006, the Robert McGinnis Hollywood Edition art prints are highly prized by James Bond fans and classic movie artwork collectors alike.

007 fans best know McGinnis as the man behind the memorable poster campaigns for Thunderball, You Only Live Twice, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, Diamonds Are Forever, and more.

The Robert McGinnis Hollywood Edition

Robert McGinnis is one of the most admired and influential illustrators working today. A member of the Society of Illustrators, McGinnis is best known for his astonishingly prolific career as a paperback cover artist. But he also painted numerous iconic movie posters–from exciting James Bond movie imagery to the illustrations for Barbarella and Breakfest at Tiffanys.

FACTS/SPECULATIONS

Limited edition of 500 copies each
Each print personally hand-numbered and signed by Robert McGinnis
Size: 17″ x 23″ (42,50 cm x 58 cm)
Four-colour printing on museum-quality paper
Professionally matted and ready to frame
Certificate of authenticity
Price: €159 each excluding postage (special rates for wholesalers!)

Click here to view images of the two newest art prints in the collection: ‘Fit To Kill’ and ‘A Man Of Affairs’

POSTERS MAY BE ORDERED FROM

RMG Artwork Ltd.
Ellenstr. 11
30175 Hannover, Germany
Phone: ++49-511/70 33 22
email: [email protected]

SPECIAL BONUS

If you order two or more art prints, you will receive a Robert McGinnis colour sketch print free of charge.

Stay tuned to CBn for all the latest James Bond news.

James Bond Ultimate Collectors Casino Set Coming To UK

No sooner did the news break that the US was finally getting a massive James Bond DVD collection (as poorly packaged as it is) and now comes details on yet another new one for 007 fans in the UK.

To be released on 12 November 2007, the James Bond Ultimate Collectors Casino Set will include the previous 20 films from Dr. No to Die Another Day as well as the new two-disc release of 2006’s Casino Royale. In addition, the collection will feature Casino Royale playing cards from Carta Mundi as well as poker chips.

As is the case with the upcoming James Bond Ultimate Collector’s Set in the US, this collection includes all the fast-paced adventures, high-performance sports cars, futuristic gadgets, narrow escapes, explosive battles and the sexy, bold and brazen Bond girls, along with hours of extras, offering plenty of time to bond with Bond. Presented on two-disc special edition DVDs spanning 42 discs, each mission grants all-access to the chronicles of the agent’s storied career from the Bond archives, including deleted scenes, rare interviews, documentaries, featurettes, interactive film guides, music videos, audio commentaries and more.

The James Bond Ultimate Collectors Casino Set will retail for £199.99 and can currently be pre-ordered online:

Pre-order The James Bond Ultimate Collectors Casino Set from Amazon.co.uk.

Click here for CommanderBond.net’s full round-up of all the latest James Bond 007 ‘Ultimate Edition’ DVD news: front and back cover art, box cover art, worldwide release dates, menu and screen caps, new certificates, ordering details, special features, technical specs, special collections and more.

Keep watching CBn for all the latest James Bond 007 news.

James Bond 007 Ultimate Collector's DVD Set

One week ago, CBn first broke the news that a brand new monster boxed DVD set of the 21 official James Bond 007 films would finally be released in this US this upcoming November. The press release now follows:

James Bond 007 Ultimate Collector’s Set

MGM Home Entertainment will give fans of the unprecedented film series a view to a thrill with the release of the James Bond Ultimate Collector’s Set on November 6, 2007. Featuring the complete MGM Bond library in The James Bond Ultimate Editions Volumes 1-4, recently restored and re-mastered for optimal sound and picture quality, as well the most recent 007 installment, Casino Royale starring Daniel Craig. The James Bond Ultimate Collector’s Set includes all the fast-paced adventures, high-performance sports cars, futuristic gadgets, narrow escapes, explosive battles and the sexy, bold and brazen Bond girls, along with hours of extras, offering plenty of time to bond with Bond. Presented on two-disc special edition DVDs spanning 42 discs, each mission grants all-access to the chronicles of the agent’s storied career from the Bond archives, including deleted scenes, rare interviews, documentaries, featurettes, interactive film guides, music videos, audio commentaries and more. The James Bond Ultimate Collector’s Set will be available for the suggested retail price of $239.98 U.S. / $269.98 Canada. Prebook is October 10th, 2007.

Each film included in the James Bond Ultimate Collector’s Set has recently been restored and re-mastered and presented in their original aspect ratio, with original burned in subtitles and captions, mono and stereo sound (in addition to 5.1 DTS Audio). The set features hours of bonus materials including audio commentaries on every Bond film, behind-the-scenes featurettes, documentaries and more. For specific information on each special feature, please consult the James Bond Ultimate Collector’s Set fact sheet at www.mgmpressroom.com.

Spanning more than 40 years beginning with the original London premiere of Dr. No on October 5th, 1962, the James Bond 007 films have become one of the most popular franchises world-wide. Packed with an arsenal of bonus materials from EON Production’s archives, this mega-collection is a must-own for James Bond zealots, whether their favorite 007 is Sir Sean Connery, Sir Roger Moore, George Lazenby, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan or Daniel Craig, the latest interpretation to introduce himself as “Bond, James Bond.”

Technical Specs:
– Number of Discs: 42
– Audio/Language: English DTS / English 5.1 Dolby Surround / French 5.1 Dolby Surround
– Subtitles: English, Spanish, French, Korean, Chinese Mandarin, Thai
– CC: Yes

However, in keeping with tradition of Bond DVD releases in the US, there are a few disappointments with this collection–namely, the packaging. If you already purchased the four boxed sets from November/December 2006, this new set is merely those four sets plus Casino Royale thrown together in one big box. Click here to view the packaging on the James Bond 007 Ultimate Collector’s DVD set.

Interested 007 fans can pre-order this collection at amazon.com, where it is currently discounted to $167.99.

Click here for CommanderBond.net’s full round-up of all the latest James Bond 007 ‘Ultimate Edition’ DVD news: front and back cover art, box cover art, worldwide release dates, menu and screen caps, new certificates, ordering details, special features, technical specs, and more.

Keep watching CBn for all the latest James Bond 007 news.

Third Wave Of Individual James Bond 007 'Ultimate Edition' DVDs Released

The third wave of the individual ‘Ultimate Edition’ James Bond 007 DVDs are now available to order in the US. They are featured in normal DVD case packaging, and not the slimcases contained in the current boxed sets.

Currently discounted to $11.19 and available to order at amazon.com, the titles include: Dr. No, Diamonds Are Forever, Live And Let Die, Octopussy, A View To A Kill and Tomorrow Never Dies.

Keep in mind that these are the single-disc editions. There are no special features, with the exception of audio commentaries. The cover artwork remains the same as that used for the four US boxed set collections. They are featured in normal DVD case packaging, and not the slimcases contained in the current boxed sets.

Note that the new individual DVDs for On Her Majesty’s Secret Service and Die Another Day are not yet listed on amazon. In related news, the newly announced monster box set, which includes 2006’s Casino Royale is available to pre-order online. It will be released on 6 November 2007.

Click here for CommanderBond.net’s full round-up of all the latest James Bond 007 ‘Ultimate Edition’ DVD news: front and back cover art, box cover art, worldwide release dates, menu and screen caps, new certificates, ordering details, special features, technical specs, and more.

Keep watching CBn for all the latest James Bond 007 news.

James Bond Monster Box (21-Film, 42-Disc DVD Set) Coming to R1

You’re in luck if you live in North America and haven’t already picked up the new James Bond Ultimate Edition DVDs because the James Bond Ultimate Collector’s Set was just added to Amazon.com. It’s a 42 DVD set of all 21 remastered James Bond films and their bonus discs in ONE GIANT BOX! It’s set for release on 6 November 2007.

It’s not clear whether each Ultimate Edition film will be in a slim case like the four 2006 Ultimate Edition box sets or a standard case like the single disc DVDs from this year. It’s also unclear whether the Casino Royale DVD will have a cover that matches the rest of the Ultimate Edition DVDs. We can hope it matches but the Die Another Day DVD cover did not change when the James Bond Special Edition DVDs were rereleased in 2003.

However, one thing is clear: You’re screwed if you purchased the four Ultimate Edition sets in 2006! One complete set is way better than four mismatched ones, right? Thanks, Eon/MGM/Sony…not!

6 November 2007 is also the Region 1 release date for the Casino Royale: 40th Anniversary Edition. I wouldn’t be surprised if a Never Say Never Again rerelease also comes out this day but it has yet to be announced.

The beautiful James Bond Ultimate Collector’s Set box can be viewed at Amazon.com where you can also pre-order the set for $167.99

Stay tuned to CBn for all the latest James Bond news.

Thanks to “Jason” for the tip! Discuss the James Bond Ultimate Collector’s Set in this thread on the CBn Forums, the largest James Bond 007 forum on the internet.

Related article

• James Bond 007 ‘Ultimate Edition’ DVD Round-Up

Corgi Announces Licence Agreement For James Bond Through 2010

According to a press release, Corgi International Limited has announced a new licence agreement with EON Productions for the James Bond 007 series to continue through 2010. The full release:

Corgi International Limited announces a license agreement with EON Productions for James Bond

Corgi International Limited (Nasdaq GM:CRGI) today announced that it has entered into a Master Toy & Collectible Replica agreement with EON Productions. The agreement for the James Bond classic movie archive runs through 2010 and includes the forthcoming James Bond Movie due for release in 2008 and subsequent movies released during the course of the term.

This worldwide agreement will allow Corgi International to release both mass market product ranges as well as core collectibles on innovative product lines that include, Action Figures, Vehicles, Electronic Roleplay, Die Cast, High Specification Remote Control released under the Popco brand and High end Replicas released under the world renowned Master Replicas branding, amongst other items in varying scales and formats.

Corgi International CEO Michael Cookson commented, “Corgi has had a long association with the James Bond license, and as a licensee for over 40 years on Die Cast, we truly believe that we have reached an agreement where we can use our expertise in both the mass and collectibles markets to release products to a fan base that is both core and aspirational, something that most people believe James Bond to be. Our product range will commence before the movie release in 2008 with classic movie product and replicas and continue with some strong and innovative mass market lines, and we are proud to continue our association with such a franchise.

Keith Snelgrove, SVP Global Business Strategy for EON Productions, also commented “We pride ourselves in the long-standing business relationships we have with many of our James Bond franchise partners. Corgi has been with us since the beginning, and we are excited to see the new range of both toys and prop replicas that Corgi International will bring to market in conjunction with our next film and beyond.”

For a listing of upcoming James Bond-related diecast models coming from Corgi in 2007, click here to visit Modelenium.co.uk.

Discuss this James Bond news in this thread on the CBn Forums, the largest James Bond 007 forum on the internet.

2008 James Bond Calendars Now Available

Daniel Craig is out for revenge in Bond 22 on 7 November; Sebastian Faulks brings the adult James Bond back to readers in Devil May Care on 28 May; Miss Moneypenny has her Final Fling on 10 July; the illustrated 007 is Shark Bait on 12 February; it’s Double Or Die for Young Bond in the U.S. on 22 April; Ian Fleming’s life is explored at the “For Your Eyes Only” exhibition on 25 April…

Can’t keep track?

Luckily, you can now order teNeues’ annual James Bond calendars from Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com.

As usual, two different calendars are available for your selection – the “James Bond Classic” and “James Bond Movie Posters” editions – so you can easily remember those 00-dates. The former includes a selection of images of Agent 007 himself (for the first time, the cover of this year’s calendar is graced by Daniel Craig), while the latter features an eclectic range of Bond posters from all over the world. The Netherlands James Bond Fan Club has posted the back cover of each calendar, which reveals the images for each month.

To order the calendars online, please choose from a link below (all calendars excluding the “James Bond Classic” calendar from Amazon.com are now shipping).

• Order the “James Bond Classic” calendar from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com
• Order the “James Bond Movie Posters” calendar from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

Stay tuned to CBn for all the latest James Bond news.

Collectively plan your 2008 calendar in this thread on the CBn Forums, the largest James Bond 007 forum on the Internet.

21-Film, 42-Disc DVD Box Set Coming To Australia

Australian 007 fans are lucky enough to be able to pre-order a brand new limited edition DVD box set, featuring all 21 James Bond films – each in two-disc sets – all boxed up with a swanky poker pack, including chips and cards.

Whilst yet to pop up for pre-order anywhere else in the world, the whopping 42-disc set is due for release Down Under on 21 November 2007. The two-disc sets are presumably the most recent Ultimate Edition releases.

Packaging for the set is yet to be finalised, however a mock-up is available to view online.

This set marks the first time the latest entry in the series, Casino Royale, has been included with the previous 20 films.

The set can be pre-ordered on EzyDVD now, but get in quick as stocks are limited.

Stay tuned to CBn for all the latest James Bond news.

Discuss this news in this thread on the CBn Forums, the largest James Bond 007 forum on the internet.

Related article

• James Bond 007 ‘Ultimate Edition’ DVD Round-Up