EVERYONE’S FAVORITE SUPERSPY TAKES THE SPOTLIGHT IN JUNE 13 EVENT FEATURING POSTERS, PROPS AND MEMORABILIA FROM THE FAMED FRANCHISE
By Colin Tait | June 3, 2025
“Bond. James Bond.” Remarkably, these words are never spoken in Ian Fleming’s original novels. The now-iconic catchphrase was created on set and first delivered by Sean Connery in Dr. No (1962), becoming an indelible part of the spy’s cinematic identity ever since.
Like birds imprinting on their mothers, we tend to latch onto the first James Bond we see as our Bond. For me, it was Roger Moore in For Your Eyes Only (1981). I only have to close my eyes to hear Sheena Easton’s sultry title track and picture Bond skiing down a treacherous slope to escape snowmobiles in one of the film’s epic chase scenes. Yes, Moore may be the goofiest Bond – the one with the raised eyebrow and safari suits – but he kept the franchise thriving throughout the 1980s. And, as a lifelong Duran Duran fan, the A View to a Kill (1985) music video remains, in my mind, the perfect collision of song, band and Bond aesthetic.
This rare British quad poster for 1962’s ‘Dr. No’ is available in Heritage’s James Bond Hollywood/Entertainment Showcase Auction on June 13, 2025.
Aston Martin promotional British double crown poster for 1965’s ‘Thunderball.’ Available in Heritage’s James Bond Hollywood/Entertainment Showcase Auction on June 13, 2025.
It was harder for me to connect with Connery’s version at first, partly because my introduction was 1983’s Never Say Never Again – an unofficial, non-Eon production – where an aging Connery tries to reclaim his superspy persona with mixed results. It wasn’t until years later, during a deeper dive into the series, that I came to appreciate what others saw in him – and why, for many, Connery will always be the quintessential Bond.
James Bond has always mirrored the concerns and style of his time. In the Cold War 1960s, the villains were often Russian agents or Chinese masterminds like Dr. No and Rosa Klebb. In the ’70s and ’80s, they shifted to billionaire industrialists and madmen with global weather-control devices, like Karl Stromberg (The Spy Who Loved Me), Hugo Drax (Moonraker) and Max Zorin (A View to a Kill). The Bond formula – exotic locations from Monaco to Siberia, cutting-edge gadgets, luxury cars, beautiful Bond girls with names like Honey Ryder (Dr. No), Pussy Galore (Goldfinger) and Vesper Lynd (Casino Royale) – remains timeless.
Original rocket prop from 1987’s ‘The Living Daylights.’ Available in Heritage’s James Bond Hollywood/Entertainment Showcase Auction on June 13, 2025.
This production clapperboard from 2002’s ‘Die Another Day’ is available in Heritage’s James Bond Hollywood/Entertainment Showcase Auction on June 13, 2025.
With that in mind, it’s thrilling to share that Heritage Auctions has curated one of the most impressive collections of Bond memorabilia ever assembled. This extraordinary offering, which crosses the block June 13, 2025, spans the full legacy of the franchise, from Fleming’s literary roots to iconic posters, concept artwork, rare props and representations from every Bond actor, including Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig.
From Dr. No (1962), there’s a rare British quad film poster. From Thunderball (1965), there’s the Aston Martin promotional British double crown. From Goldfinger (1964), we present the world premiere brochure and a gold presentation cinema briefcase. From The Living Daylights (1987), Timothy Dalton’s first outing, there’s a rocket prop. Moonraker (1979) is represented by a cast-signed international one-sheet, while Die Another Day (2002) includes a clapperboard used in production. For collectors of Bond’s stylish gear, there’s also the Omega Seamaster Professional Ref. 2226.80.00, part of the official James Bond limited series.
Ian Fleming’s PAN Award for selling 1 million copies of ‘Diamonds Are Forever’in the PAN edition. Available in Heritage’s James Bond Hollywood/Entertainment Showcase Auction on June 13, 2025.
This special limited-edition copy of 1963’s ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’ is signed by Fleming and available in Heritage’s James Bond Hollywood/Entertainment Showcase Auction on June 13, 2025.
Of course, there is no Bond without Ian Fleming. Among the other auction highlights are Fleming’s PAN Award, which is paired with a 1958 copy of Diamonds Are Forever, and a signed special edition of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. There’s also a vintage release script for On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1970), starring George Lazenby and featuring iconic Bond girl Tracy di Vicenzo (Diana Rigg), the only woman Bond ever marries.
It’s hard to imagine Fleming could have foreseen what his character would become – now over 70 years old and still thrilling global audiences. As the rights to the franchise transition from longtime stewards Eon Productions and the Broccoli family to Amazon MGM Studios, the world watches closely to see who the next Bond will be and how the series will evolve.
But no matter who wears the tuxedo next, there’s no doubt that James Bond will continue to inspire debate, admiration and excitement for generations to come. Here’s to another 70 years of 007 – still shaken, never stirred.