Exclusive James Bond items at Hollywood auction

By: FSWL team

Published:
2013-07-28

James bond items at hollywood auction 2013

Profiles in History is auctioning four James Bond lots including 007's documented Walther pistol used by Sean Connery in publicity shots for four James Bond films AND 007's (Roger Moore) BD-5J Acrostar jet screen-used in the incredible opening sequences of Octopussy (1983) (1983).

The Hollywood auction (sale no 56) will take place in PIH's facilities in Calabasas Hills, California, USA.

The auction begins 29th July 2013 at 11am (PST). Click here for further details of all lots, nearly 1,000 items in total.

James Bond items featured in this auction:

• 602. CONCEPT ART THOUGHT TO BE FOR LIVE AND LET DIE (Eon Productions, 1973)
Ivor Beddoes concept sketches believed attributed to the 8th installment in the James Bond franchise, Live and Let Die. Collection includes (1) 20 x 25 in. graveyard ritual scene, unsigned (1) 19 x 8 in. detail of a foreground Gargoyle over a ritual altar scene and (1) 14.5 x 22.5 in. panel labeled “Interior Manas Chapel” signed and dated, “Ivor Beddoes ‘71” at lower right. All sketches are accomplished in pencil, watercolor and gouache on artist board. The “Temple” and “Gargoyle” panels are tipped to 20 x 25 in. boards. These early concepts would have been generated before the production was committed to the New Orleans location and voodoo themes. All pieces exhibit bumped corners and some chipping to edges. Overall in good condition.

Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000 USD

• 603. VINTAGE CLAPPERBOARD FROM OCTOPUSSY (Eon Productions, 1983)
Vintage original wooden clapperboard from the 13th installment in the blockbuster “James Bond” franchise: Octopussy. The hinged clapstick is present on top with signature black-and-white interleaved diagonal lines. Measuring approx. 13.5 x 15 in. Imprinted with “Eon Prods Ltd Octopussy” and “Director: J. Glen / Cameraman A. Hume”. Below is the chalkboard “slate” used for designating and marking particular scenes and takes. Exhibiting signs of age, wear and production use. In overall good condition.

Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000 USD

• 604. JAMES BOND’S WALTHER GUN, AS USED BY SEAN CONNERY IN PUBLICITY SHOTS FOR 4 JAMES BOND FILMS
This 4.5 mm. Walther air pistol, LP Model 53, serial number 054159, was first used by Sean Connery for the promotion of his second “James Bond” !lm, From Russia with Love. Publicist Tom Carlile arranged a series of poses with photographer David Hurn to shoot an iconic portrait of Connery as “James Bond 007” with his Walther pistol which was to be used as the primary image for the !lm’s poster art and advertising/marketing campaign. When Connery arrived at the photo studio, together with Tom Carlile and representatives from United Artists, it was discovered that no one had brought “007’s” Walther semi-automatic pistol. By chance, photographer Hurn practiced air pistol target shooting as a hobby and he used a Walther.

It was decided between Carlile and Hurn, without telling Connery or the other representatives from United Artists, that they would use his air pistol for the photographs and if anyone were to bring it up that the Walther name on the gun would reassure them. In theory, the long barrel of the air pistol should have been removed by airbrushing during the design of the actual poster, but, for reasons unknown, it was never done. What became of this shoot was one of the most iconic photographic images of the 20th century. The picture of Sean Connery holding the long-barreled gun across his chest or alongside his face became the most famous of all “Bond” images. So effective were the shots from this From Russia with Love photo shoot, that the series of publicity shots were used for the following three Bond films: Goldfinger (1964) (1964), Thunderball (1965) (1965) and You Only Live Twice (1967). The gun features a 24 cm. barrel and blackened finish; comes with its original close-fitted Walther presentation case as well as a signed letter of provenance from photographer David Hurn. This gun sold at Christie’s London in 2010 for a world record 437,000 USD.

Estimate: 200,000 - 300,000 USD

• 605. ORIGINAL N70CF ACROSTAR BD-5J MICRO JET USED IN ALL OF THE FLYING SEQUENCES FROM OCTOPUSSY AS FLOWN BY STUNT PILOT CORKEY FORNOF. COMES WITH SIGNED LETTER OF PROVENANCE (Eon Productions, 1983)
Original N70CF Acrostar BD-5J micro jet used in all of the flying sequences from Octopussy. In perhaps the most famous of all opening sequences in the 50 years of “James Bond” in films, Roger Moore backs a small jet out of a horse trailer, takes off from the road, flies over military troops, under a bridge, rolls in canyons and flies through an airplane hangar.

This is the jet that was used in all the aerial sequences of the "lm. The BD-5J has a 17 ft. wingspan and a small, streamlined fuselage holding its semi-reclined pilot under a large canopy. It holds the record for the world’s lightest jet aircraft, weighing only 358.8 lbs. (162.7 kg) and was capable of reaching 300 mph (480 km/h). The jet is so compact that it can fit in a rental truck with a 12 ft. cargo area with the wings detached. These world famous Octopussy flying sequences were performed by stunt pilot John W. “Corkey” Fornof.

In addition to its most famous use in Octopussy, Fornof flew this jet in scores of television programs and commercials, such as “The Spectacular World of Guinness Records” (world’s smallest jet), “Good Morning America”, “25 Years of James Bond 007”, “That’s Incredible”, “ABCs Wide World of Sports” and countless airshows. In addition, this jet has appeared in virtually every aviation publication in the free world. BD-5J’s were popular at air shows throughout the 1980s and many were involved in crashes due to the demanding high performance nature of the plane. The engine has been removed for exhibition purposes and the aircraft’s current air-worthiness is untested. Comes with signed letter of provenance by Corkey Fornof who has owned the jet since it was built. Special shipping arrangements will apply.

Estimate: 200,000 - 300,000 USD

Photo above:
The original Micro Jet used in all flying sequences in Octopussy 1983.

Visit Profiles in History's website for the latest news and information on this auction:

www.profilesinhistory.com/auctions/hollywood-auction-56/

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