World's largest James Bond memorabilia collection heads to auction

A collection of James Bond memorabilia officially certified in the Guinness World Record Book as the world’s largest will head to auction in September 2023.

An extremely rare full set of five 'Marler Hayley' advertising posters for 'The Spy Who Loved Me' (1977) produced exclusively for Odeon Cinemas.
Estimate £2,000 - £3,000

The collection will be sold in several auctions, the first takes place in September.

Nick Bennett from Warrington began his James Bond collection during the Pierce Brosnan Goldeneye (1995) era and quickly built up an impressive quantity of toys, posters, shop display pieces, props, books and other 007 paraphernalia - at its peak numbering over 12,000 unique pieces.

Nick Bennett and his Guinness World Record James Bond collection in 2014.

That was enough for the Guinness World Record team to officially certify his collection in 2014 as the world’s largest.

Now Nick has decided the time is right to part with the collection and is partnering with Merseyside-based music and entertainment specialists Omega Auctions to sell the items over several sales, starting on September 26th 2023 with an auction featuring rare posters, first edition books, James Bond related vinyl records and more.

Nick Bennett said “I have thoroughly enjoyed collecting and owning these items. Now I've made the decision to sell and pass them on to others who will enjoy them after me. Over 30 years of collecting and now these items will find new homes for the world's greatest spy.”

A set of fourteen 'facsimile' (replica) editions of the Ian Fleming-written James Bond novels, pub c 1989 by the 'First Edition Library' in conjunction with Jonathan Cape.
Estimate £800 - £1,000

Auction manager Dan Muscatelli-Hampson said “It’s a real honour for us to have the chance to work with Nick on a collection of this significance. We’re seeing a marked increase in sales and in general interest in James Bond memorabilia and collectables, especially for posters and first edition books, so I believe that although it’s been a tough decision for Nick to part with the collection, it’s as good as a moment as ever to do so. We are not sure yet how many sales it’ll take us to work through the entire collection - but to offer this kind of quantity to the market is certainly unprecedented.”

An original US six sheet poster (78 x 80") for James Bond - Dr. No (1962)
Estimate £1,000 - £1,500

Fourteen First Edition titles from the Pan/Great Pan series of Ian Fleming's James Bond novels.
Estimate £2,000 - £3,000

The first auction, James Bond Collection - Part One, starts September 26th, 2023 at 13h00. For all lots, online bidding and auction info, visit the Omega Auctions website. Stay tuned for future auctions which will include more merchandise, toys and collectibles.