In the James Bond poster collecting world, rarity almost always equates to price.
I have a number of original Bond posters from around the world framed and up on my walls. I’ve also had an equal number pass through my hands, many of which I sold years ago for what in retrospect were very low prices, which I deeply regret now.
I was, however, quite happy to sell this pair of text posters at auction earlier this year. Frankly, IMHO they are not much to look at. They are part of a bunch that my father was able to procure for me many years ago directly from a friend he knew at the printing house, and they have remained in a drawer ever since.
So I was very surprised when there was something of a bidding frenzy for these at auction, and they both went for what I thought were crazy prices. The reason: these were printed specifically for the world premiere of Diamonds Are Forever at the Odeon Leicester Square cinema in London.
Hence, aside from being not only first release but first public screening of the movie, and dated accordingly, they would have been produced in tiny quantities only. (I once had a third poster with a blow-up picture of Bond from the UK quad poster, but that I stupidly consigned to sell years ago, otherwise it would have made for a very collectible triptych). The ones I sold were unused, so in near-perfect condition, which would have further added to their appeal to collectors.
I wish I had more of these tucked away in drawers, at they would go a long way towards funding my collecting habit, but sadly that is not the case!