WHAT: In a world where competition between auction houses for top goods has become fierce, even high-end houses are slugging it out for newsworthy sales and consumer recognition. Once a stuffy white-glove pursuit, prestige auctions have increasingly become theatrical events.
Christie’s London recently sold memorabilia from “Spectre,” the 24th film in the James Bond series. Held in-house and online, the first part alone realized about $3.9 million, with all proceeds to be donated to charities including Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) and United Nations Mine Action Service. Bond’s car, an Aston Martin DB10, brought more than $3.4 million.
MORE: In late December at Sotheby’s New York, 600 Star Wars toys and memorabilia from a Japanese mega fan sold for $550,000. Top lot was a $32,500 5-figure pack originally sold only at Canadian Sears stores.
SMART COLLECTORS KNOW: In collectibles, it’s always the unusual and pristine that bring top dollar. Memorabilia made to be collectible never soars.
HOT TIP: Smart collectors hunt for recalled memorabilia. A Luke Skywalker figure with double telescoping lightsaber, made in limited numbers then recalled because the lightsaber tended to break, is the one everyone wants.
BOTTOM LINE: Everyone wins in sales like the one at Christie’s London. Bond producers, already under flak for flagrant product placement (said to be 17 in “Spectre”), get props for giving to charity. Collectors get a chance to bid for iconic items, and auction houses bring in new bidders. All involved gain publicity.
