NY Times Article Confirms MGM's New Bond DVD Project

If your haven’t yet bought your James Bond DVD set…don’t! An article by Fred Kaplan in today’s New York Times (“600 Macs, 4,000 Lines, One Giant Leap for DVD’s”) has revealed that MGM has hired Lowry Digital — a DVD mastering and restoration company based in Burbank, California — to make 4K digital masters of nine James Bond films, including all of those starring Sean Connery. 4K is a new digital mastering process which, according to the article, “makes DVD look nearly as sharp and detailed as a 35-millimeter film print, and will produce images with six times the resolution of today’s high-definition television sets.”

The Times article points out that “a standard television displays broadcast signals as 480 lines. High-definition televisions have up to 1,080 lines. (The greater number of lines, the more detailed the image — the more closely it resembles a seamless, lifelike picture.) Impressive as HDTV looks, 35-millimeter film has far more color and detail. Engineers calculate that 4,000 lines of data would be needed to reproduce all the visual information in a frame of film. Most DVD’s — good as many look — begin with a compromise: they’re scanned at just 1,080 lines, at most 2,000 (sometimes as few as 480), and the source is almost always not the original negative but a copy.” At Lowry Digital, an ultra-sophisticated digital film-scanner called an Imager XE-Advanced, made by the Imagica Corp. can deliver 4,000 lines exactly. At this moment, according to the article, Lowry’s two Imager machines “are loaded with reels from the original negative of the 1967 James Bond movie You Only Live Twice.”

Says Kaplan (who is also a columnist for Slate.com and a film critic for The Perfect Vision), “I have watched scenes from a high-definition transfer of these masters on monitors at Lowry Digital. I’ve also seen a DVD, which Mr. Lowry gave me, on my TV set at home. The scenes look as brilliant as anything I’ve seen on a video disc — and better than any video of a color movie that was shot 35 to 40 years ago. Colors are saturated and natural. Gardens have dozens of shades of green. Flesh tones are uncannily lifelike. Shadows look like shadows, not gray blots. Motions are smooth, not jumpy.”

The Times article goes on to note that “MGM executives decline to say when they’ll be releasing these Bond DVD’s — or anything else about the project, except to confirm that it exists. The new discs won’t be out until next year at least, perhaps in part to avoid angering consumers who bought the 20 Bond films in three boxed sets that MGM put out just last year.”

MGM recently sent a camera crew to interview John Lowry, head of Lowry Digital, about his restoration techniques for a “special feature” to be included on the Bond DVD’s.

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To discuss this news visit this thread in the CBn forums.
Thank you to [dark] for delivering this news alert.

Now Shipping: Jinx & Zao

Sideshow’s Die Another Day figures, Jinx & Zao, are now shipping from both Sideshow & SpyGuise.

Sideshow has not only sold out of the Jinx figure but she will no longer be manufactured (retired). If you’ve not pre-ordered Jinx and you’re looking to pick up one of the 4,500 limited edition figures you can either…

• Visit Sideshow, make your way to Jinx, and place yourself on a waiting list for her figure by filling out their Customer Service Request Form. Or…
• Visit SpyGuise and order there, as they do still have a few Jinx figures available along with a handful of Zao figures. Order quickly!

Also right now on Spyguys, if you order select figures from the Sideshow Bond collection from them you’ll get free t-shirt (a $10 value).

To View Sideshow’s Compleate James Bond Collection visit our list on CBn.

Sideshow's James Bond Collection

This is a complete listing of all figures from the Sideshow James Bond Collection. All figures are sold with a figure stand and placed in a collectable movie specific customized box. Sideshow Figures can be purchased at SideShow Collectibles or bid on at E-Bay.

*the list below is in movie chronological order and will be updated appropriately when changes to the collection are made.

Dr. No

James Bond (buy) Limited Edition of 17,500 RETIRED ITEM Sean Connery as Agent 007. Dressed in an elegant tuxedo with satin trim. Bond is equipped with: a Walther PPK and Beretta hand-guns, 1/6 scale liquor bottle, glass and martini shaker.

Dr. No (buy) Limited Edition of 8,000 RETIRED ITEM Joseph Wiseman as Dr. No. Dressed in his signature white suit and shoes, has mechanical black hands and clear plastic radiation suit.

James Bond / Dr. No Set (buy) RETIRED ITEM Sean Connery as Agent 007 and Joseph Wiseman as Dr. No.

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Goldfinger

James Bond (buy) Limited Edition of 15000 RETIRED ITEM Sean Connery is Agent 007. He is equipped with a pistol and a backpack.

Pussy Galore (buy) Limited Edition of 5000 RETIRED ITEM Honor Blackman is Pussy Galore. Dressed in a Sexy Black Velvet Jacket and Pants w/ a tight fitting Gold Vest. Pussy is equipped with Dart Gun and S&W .45 Pistol.

Oddjob (buy) Limited Edition of 7500 RETIRED ITEM Harold Sakata is Auric Goldfinger’s right hand man, Oddjob. Oddjob is equipped with his deadly hat.

Bond and Oddjob Set (buy) RETIRED ITEM Sean Connery as Agent 007 and Harold Sakata as Oddjob.

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Thunderball

James Bond (buy) PRE-ORDER NOW Limited Edition of 5,500 Sean Connery as Agent 007. Dressed in his diving outfit. Bond is equipped with Q’s aquatic propulsion dive rig, dive mask, dive knife, fins, and spear gun. SIDESHOW EXCLUSIVE EDITION: The first 500 customers who ordered from SideshowCollectibles.com received a bonus accessory — the ReBreather.

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On Her Majesty’s Secret Service

James Bond (buy) Limited Edition TBD George Lazenby as Agent 007, Dressed in his signature blue suit from the movie’s gun battle finale. Bond is equipped with a Sterling machine gun, the standard 9MM Walther PPK, and cold weather gloves.

Ernst Blofeld (buy) RETIRED ITEM Limited Edition TBD Telly Savalas as Ernst Blofeld. Dressed in a brown snowsuit with boots and a white turtle neck. He is equipped with US Fragmentation grenades, a hand mortar tube, a Colt .45 automatic pistol with removable magazine and holster, ski goggles, Binoculars and belt case.

James Bond and Ernst Blofeld Set (buy) RETIRED ITEM Limited Edition TBD George Lazenby as Agent 007 and Telly Savalas as Ernst Blofeld.

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Live & Let Die

James Bond (buy) Limited Edition of 15000 Roger Moore as Agent 007. Dressed in a Black Turtleneck & Trousers. Bond is equipped with a Shoulder Holster & Pistol, & Flashlight.

Tee Hee (buy) Limited Edition of 5000 Julius Harris as Tee Hee. Dressed in a Red Sport Coat & Tie, Sunglasses, Grey Trousers, and and equipped with a pincer hand.

James Bond & Tee Hee Set (buy) Limited Edition of 5000 Roger Moore as Agent 007 and Julius Harris as Tee Hee.

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The Man with the Golden Gun

James Bond (buy) RETIRED ITEM Limited Edition of 15,000 Roger Moore as Agent 007. Dressed in a white blazer with gold buttons and brown slacks. Bond is equipped with: Walther PPK, 1/6 scale Martini Glass, Champagne bottle and Wooden Elephant.

Scaramanga (buy) RETIRED ITEM Limited Edition of 7,500 Christopher Lee as Scaramanga. Dressed in a white pants suit with black tie and white boots. He is equipped with: a gold lighter, gold cigarette case, gold pen, gold cuff links, a solex agitator and, and The Golden Gun.

James Bond & Scaramanga Set (buy) RETIRED ITEM Limited Edition of 7,500 Roger Moore as Agent 007 and Christopher Lee as Scaramanga.

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The Spy Who Loved Me

Q (buy) RETIRED ITEM Limited Edition of 3000 Desmond Llewelyn as Q. Dressed in his signature suit seen throughout most of the 17 missions he appeared in. Q is equipped with a box full of his signature gadgets that he created throughout his career.

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Moonraker

Jaws 14’ Figure (buy) RETIRED ITEM Limited Edition of 4000 Richard Kiel as Jaws. Dressed in his tie, dress shirt and trousers, shoes, a hand-altimeter, parachute pack and goggles. Moonraker and The Spy Who Loved Me.

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License to Kill

James Bond (buy) RETIRED ITEM Limited Edition of 15,000 Timothy Dalton as Agent 007. Dressed in an elegant tuxedo. Bond is equipped with a Walther P5 and comes with a Camera Gun, which cleverly breaks down to fit into a Camera Box.

Franz Sanchez (buy) RETIRED ITEM Robert Davi as the drug dealer Franz Sanchez comes equipped with a Micro Uzi, Machete and his pet Iguana with the Diamond Necklace.

James Bond and Franz Sanchez Set (buy) RETIRED ITEM

Timothy Dalton as James Bond and Robert Davi as Franz Sanchez.

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GoldenEye

James Bond (buy) PRE-ORDER NOW Limited Edition TBD Pierce Brosnan as Agent 007. Dressed in Robin’s vest. Bond is equipped with watch, AK-74 rifle, Walther PPK, & Timer Mine.< ?font>

Alec Trevalyan ‘006’ (buy) PREORDER NOW Limited Edition of 750 Sean Bean as Alec Trevalyan. 006 is equipped with equipped with a GoldenEye device, a Browing BDM Pistol w/ removable magazine, a watch, & an AK-74. SIDESHOW EXCLUSIVE EDITION: The first 500 customers who ordered from SideshowCollectibles.com received a bonus accessory — an extra interchangeable head without scar.

Xenia Onatopp (buy) PRE-ORDER NOW Limited Edition TBD Famke Janssen as Xenia Onatopp. She is equipped with AK-74 rifle with folding stock, & rappelling harness.

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Tomorrow Never Dies

Wai Lin (buy) PRE-ORDER NOW Limited Edition 500 Michelle Yeoh as Wai Lin. She is equipped with an MP-5, throwing stars, shoes with throwing stars mounted on the soles, and small explosives.

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Die Another Day

James Bond (buy) RETIRED ITEM Pierce Brosnan as Agent 007. Dressed in his classic Bernini black tuxedo, Bond is equipped with a Walther P99 automatic pistol with removable magazine, Russian AKM74-SU, a 1/6 scale bottle of vodka & martini glass.

Jinx (buy) RETIRED ITEM Limited Edition of 4500 Hally Berry as Jinx. She is equipped with a Belt with throwing knife sheaths, Throwing Knives, & Beretta pistol.

Zao (buy) Limited Edition of 3000 Rick Yune as Zao. He is equipped with Stetchkin pistol & Icarus glove.

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OTHER

Sean Connery as James Bond 1/4 Scale James Bond – 18′ (buy) PRE-ORDER NOW Limited Edition of 2,000 From the original James Bond, comes Sean Connery’s portrayal of our favorite secret agent: 007! This semi-articulated figure includes authentic Connery likeness, polystone head and hands, film accurate costume, and a James Bond themed base.

Pierce Brosnan as James Bond 1/4 Scale James Bond – 18′ (buy) PRE-ORDER NOW Limited Edition TBA Pierce Brosnan has brought new vigor to the Bond franchise, and this mixed-media 1:4 scale figure perfectly captures his dashing portrayal of 007, the world’s best known super-spy. This semi-articulated figure includes an authentic Brosnan likeness, expertly tailored clothing, and a hand-numbered James Bond themed base.

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To discuss these figures visit this thread on the CBn Forums.

UPDATED: EA and Sideshow Host Another Bond Giveaway

2/29/04: Three lucky James Bond fans will win a copy of EA’s new game, James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing, along with a 12″ figure of everyone’s favorite Bond villain, Jaws. Sideshow Collectibles, in partnership with Electronic Arts, will soon host the new contest.

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UPDATE 3/18/04: Sideshow Collectibles is proud to team up with EA Games to offer their newsletter subscribers a chance to win one of 15 prize packages in their ‘Everything or Nothing’ Giveaway! Fifteen lucky winners will be randomly chosen from all eligible entries for an opportunity to win the ‘Everything or Nothing’ video game from EA Games and, if you are lucky enough, a Sideshow Collectibles 14 inch JAWS figure!

Winners will be randomly drawn from all registered Sideshow newsletter member entries collected from March 13th 2004 to April 12th 2004. Only newsletter members are able to enter this contest, so join now!

ENTRY DETAILS

When: This Giveaway runs from 6:00 p.m. (PT) on 03/13/04 to 6 p.m. (PT) on 04/12/04.

How: You will need to send an e-mail to the following address ([email protected]). The subject header will vary depending on your game platform requirements but should be one of the following:

Everyone or Nothing Giveaway: Xbox

Everyone or Nothing Giveaway: PlayStation 2

Everyone or Nothing Giveaway: GameCube

The body of the email must include your complete postal address (NO PO BOXES), phone number, and the game platform you own.

Please note: By entering Sideshow’s contest, you agree to have your name and state of residence posted to their site if you are drawn as a winner. This information will be posted without prior notification. For complete details, please see the official rules. [Official Rules]

Notification: Fifteen potential winners will be drawn on 04/15/04 from all newsletter subscribers. Your first initial, last name and state of residence will be posted on this page as a winner. See above. If you are a winner, you will need to contact us at [email protected] to claim your prize with the subject line “Everything or Nothing Winner”. If prizes are not claimed within the allotted time, they will be awarded to the next runner up.

PRIZES:15 winners will be chosen at random for one of the following prizes!

(2) Sideshow Collectibles 14″ Jaws Figure and Xbox ‘Everything or Nothing’ video games from EA Games.

(2) Sideshow Collectibles 14″ Jaws Figure and Playstation 2 ‘Everything or Nothing’ video games from EA Games.

(2) Sideshow Collectibles 14″ Jaws Figure and GameCube ‘Everything or Nothing’ video games from EA Games.

(3) Xbox ‘Everything or Nothing’ video games from EA Games.

(3) PlayStation 2 ‘Everything or Nothing’ video games from EA Games.

(3) GameCube ‘Everything or Nothing’ video games from EA Games.

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The recently released Everything or Northing is available for Xbox, GameCube, and PlayStation2. Playstation2 adds to their system online play so two agents can play together, a first for the Bond franchise. Armed with high-tech gadgetry, players will encounter dangerous villains, fast cars, exotic locations, and, of course, beautiful women.

Jaws, portrayed by actor Richard Kiel, the steel-toothed assassin in Moonraker and The Spy Who Loved Me, was Bond’s most memorable nemesis. The rivalry continues between them when Kiel returns as ‘Jaws’, this time in the Everything or Nothing video game. The limited edition figure is 14″ tall, and offered by Sideshow as a web site exclusive. Only 1000 pieces are available in the US market, and can only be ordered through Sideshow Collectibles.

Sideshow Unveil Special New Figure

Sideshow Collectibles have unveiled a new 1/4 scale figure of Sean Connery, sculpted by veteran Mat Falls (creator of some of Sideshow’s standard line of Bond figures.)

This new semi-articulated figure boasts stunningly realistic Connery likeness, polystone head and hands, a film accurate tailored costume, and a James Bond gunbarrel base! Retailing at their site for a cool $225, and shipping in the later half of this year (August/September)

Those who are still collecting their superb current and exhaustive line of Bond figures fear not! This special collectible doesn’t make yours obsolete, and the release of the new Goldeneye & Thunderball figures proves the range is steaming ahead in 2004.

Since Sideshow Collectibles obtained the licence to make these figures in late 2002, the range boasts 22 individual pieces each with stunning likeness and attention-to-detail that will make them surefire collectibles in the future and this limited edition Connery figurine is bound to rouse excitement in the hearts of collectors and Bond fans alike.

Feel free to discuss this release in this thread of the CBn Forums.

Sideshow's OHMSS Winter Bond Giveaway!

From Sideshow Collectables:

Do yourself a service and don’t pass up an opportunity to win these figures from the James Bond movie On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. This limited edition 2 figure set features George Lazenby as secret agent James Bond and Telly Savalas as Ernst Blofeld.

Winners will be randomly drawn from all registered Sideshow newsletter member entries collected from Feb 3rd 2004 to Mar 3rd 2004. Only Sideshow newsletter members are able to enter this contest, so join now!

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When: This Giveaway runs from 6:00 p.m. (PT) on 02/03/04 and ends 6 p.m. (PT) on 03/03/04.

How: Register, then send an email to [email protected] with the subject line ‘WINTER BOND GIVEAWAY’. Send your complete postal address (Sorry no P.O. Boxes).

Please note: By entering our contest, you agree to have your name and state of residence posted to Sideshow’s site if you are drawn as a winner. This information will be posted without prior notification. For complete details, please see the official rules. [Official Rules]

Notification: Three (3) potential winners will be drawn on 03/10/04 from all Sideshow newsletter subscribers. Your first initial, last name and state of residence will be posted on Sideshow’s site as a winner. See above. If you are a winner, you will need to contact Sideshow at [email protected] to claim your prize. If prizes are not claimed within the allotted time, they will be awarded to the next runner up.

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There will be three (3) winners. Each winner will receive (2) figures: George Lazenby as James Bond and Telly Savalas as Ernst Blofeld. These limited edition figures are a collector’s dream. They come with over 30 points of articulation allowing for full human movement.

George Lazenby & Telly Savalas Set
‘On her Majesty’s Secret Service’ Figures

Description:

Bond Accessories: George Lazenby is secret agent James Bond. Bond comes with the signature blue suit from the movie’s gun battle finale, a Sterling machine gun, the standard 9MM Walther PPK, and cold weather gloves.

Blofeld Accessories: Telly Savalas is Ernst Blofeld. Blofeld comes well prepared to handle Bond with US Fragmentation grenades, a hand mortar tube, a Colt .45 automatic pistol with removable magazine and holster, ski goggles, Binoculars and belt case.

Sculpted by Oluf W. Hartvigson
Product Type: 12 inch figures
Product Size: 12 inches (304mm)
Product Weight: 6.00 lbs (2.59 Kg)

Toy Fair 2004: Carrera to Release 1:32 DB5 and Ford Mustang

Good news for collectors of scale model Bond vehicles. Carrera, makers of electronic slot cars, previewed a 1:32 James Bond Aston Martin DB5 along with Tilly Masterson’s white Ford Mustang (both from Goldfinger) at the 2004 London Toy Fair. This set recalls the infamous “Gilbert OO7 Road Race Set” that was released in 1965 and sold exclusively through Sears (a large majority of these had a manufacturer’s defect which prevented them from working, and the subsequent returns bankrupted Gilbert). This Gilbert set is now a mega-hot collectible.

Also from the Toy Fair, it looks like Joyride will be releasing an all new 1:18 scale DB5 later this year. This is good news for fans who missed out on getting the last 1:18 DB5 produced by AUTOart. That car now sells for up to $400 on eBay.

No release dates yet, but CBn will give you more details on both these 2004 releases as information comes in.

Toy Fair is the leading UK exhibition of upcoming toys for the industry. As a trade show it is not open to the public. The 2004 Toy Fair was held at ExCeL from Thursday 29th January to Sunday 1st February.

MiniChamps to Release More 1:43 Die Cast Bond Vehicles

As we know, ‘MiniChamps’ (1:43) and ‘The Beanstalk Group’ (1:18) produced the die cast model cars from Die Another Day…

ASTON MARTIN VANQUISH driven by Bond

JAGUAR XKR driven by Zao

FORD THUNDERBIRD driven by Jinx

Now it seems MiniChamps will now produce 1:43 versions of the James Bond 1:18 die cast model cars previously made by AUTOart. Beginning this month MiniChamps will release two versions the Lotus Esprit from The Spy Who Loved Me…

LOTUS ESPRIT SUBMARINE (Jan 20)

LOTUS ESPRIT TYPE-79 CAR VERSION (Jan 27)

In the works for re-release later this year are the…

TOYOTA 2000 GT CABRIO from You Only Live Twice – (speculated, seeing as the picture is up on their site, but no text about it as of yet.)

ASTON MARTIN DB5 from Goldfinger – (This could be good news for some collectors; seeing as the AUTOart 1:18 DB5 sells for up to $400 on eBay.)

Perhaps in the later part of 2004 or early 2005 we’ll get the last two 1:43 re-productions…

LOTUS ESPRIT TURBO from For Your Eyes Only

BMW Z8 from The World is Not Enough

Does MiniChamps have any NEW Bond cars in the works? Will they get a deal to produce the cars in Bond 21 (2005)? Guess we’ll just have to wait and see.

To discuss this news visit this thread on the CBn Forum.
Thanks to ‘MBA Gyrojet’ for tip-off.

'OO7' Magazine Selling For Big Buck$ on eBay

I’m taking the liberty of anointing myself the resident maniac collector here at CBn. I will periodically give first hand “reports” from the bloody battlefields of eBay and the dealer’s tables at conventions. The world of Bond collecting is constantly in flux, and what was yesterday’s trash is today’s hot collectible (and visa-versa). First up, I’d like to report on the surprising state of the “fanzine” (fan specific publications, typically put out by a fan club) and, in particular, the longest running and most well known James Bond fanzine; ‘OO7’ Magazine, published by the James Bond International Fan Club.

I’ve always collected fanzines not so much for their “collectible” value, but because I love reading them. I think fanzines capture the mood of fandom at a specific time better than anything else. I love reading about how “For Your Eyes Only will definitely be Roger Moore’s last Bond as he will be too old to make another” (‘OO7’ Magazine #5), and how Sean Connery will return in Octopussy… as the villain! (‘OO7’ Magazine #9). LOL. Makes you view current fan “wisdom” with healthy skepticism and with a bit of irony. Read your fanzines and you will discover that “the past predicts the future.”

Anyway, like I said, I collect fanzines for the love… but little did I realize that my fanzine collection is becoming, pound for pound, one of the more valuable collectibles inside my Bond “vault.” In 2001 I found an issue of ‘OO7’ #5 (the oldest issue I own) on eBay for $2.00. Just take a look at what some back issues of ‘OO7’ Magazine (and not even very rare ones that that!) have been selling for on eBay lately.

‘OO7’ Magazine #11 — $186.86
‘OO7’ Magazine #10 — $107.68
‘OO7’ Magazine #16 — $102.59
‘OO7’ Magazine #26 — $89.77
‘OO7’ Magazine #25 — $87.94
‘OO7’ Magazine #21 — $75.11
‘OO7’ Magazine #12 — $74.79
‘OO7’ Magazine #19 — $67.78
‘OO7’ Magazine #13 — $65.95
‘OO7’ Magazine #15 — $56.79
‘OO7’ Magazine #22 — $56.79
‘OO7’ Magazine #07 — $55.82
‘OO7’ Magazine #39 — $47.63
‘OO7’ Magazine #18 — $37.36

Even the club newsletter, ‘OO7’ Extra, has been fetching big bucks:
‘OO7’ Extra #1 — $78.78
‘OO7’ Extra #2 — $47.63
‘OO7’ Extra #3 — $56.79
‘OO7’ Extra #4 — $32.06

Why is this? Maybe the successful revival of the JBIFC has made people suddenly aware of this publication. Seeing as they’ve just published ‘OO7’ #42, of course people are going to flock to eBay to find back issues. Also, with the rise of the internet, I think fanzines are now seen as clearly on the way out; but that they are as unique and as illustrative of a time (and film) as any original movie program, and therefore now very collectible.

So is your issue of ‘OO7’ #X now WORTH X-amount of dollars? Maybe. A collectible is only “worth” what someone is willing to pay. Depending on the circumstances (and auctions in particular are very unpredictable) what sells for $200 one day can sell for $2.00 the next. While I’ve highlighted the big-ticket sales here, there are some issues of 007 sitting on eBay with no bids. It’s a mysterious world in that way.

Oh, guess who the sucker was who paid almost $200 for issue #11? 😉 Yep.

If you’d like to continue this discussion join me here in the CBn forums.

OHMSS Watch Sells For 22,912 Pounds

A watch feature in the James Bond film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service has sold for £22,912 at an auction in London.

The auction was conduction by Christie’s and featured movie memorabilia including pieces from other film series including the Star Wars and Superman series.

The watch up for auction was a Rolex worn by one-time Bond George Lazenby in 1969 film. The initial estimate placed the watches value between £5,000-£7,000, however, the watch reached the much higher value making it the item with the highest bid from the auction.

The watch wasn’t the only piece of Bond history up for auction, also up for grabs were items from the collection of Peter Hunt, who passed away recently. The items included his working scripts for all of the 1960s Bond films.

Source: Ananova.