How to Start my 007 Collection

anotherbondfan

Hello! As you all probably know by my being here, I love James Bond. I have wanted to start a collection for years now, but I haven't quite had the time to really look into it. This year, I plan on starting some sort of a collection. I know they do vary, but any advice as to how I should go about it and especially what kinds of items I should go for?? I do have a budget, but I am willing to spend what I must to get started. I have the films in a box set, most of the books (some in two editions), two larger encyclopedic books, a toy Aston Martin, and a poster. Besides that, I'd love to get my hands on anything related to Bond! Anything would help!

walther p99

anotherbondfan wrote:

Hello! As you all probably know by my being here, I love James Bond. I have wanted to start a collection for years now, but I haven't quite had the time to really look into it. This year, I plan on starting some sort of a collection. I know they do vary, but any advice as to how I should go about it and especially what kinds of items I should go for?? I do have a budget, but I am willing to spend what I must to get started. I have the films in a box set, most of the books (some in two editions), two larger encyclopedic books, a toy Aston Martin, and a poster. Besides that, I'd love to get my hands on anything related to Bond! Anything would help!

I guess it depends on what interests you? There's lots of subsections of Bond collecting like props, clothing, toys, etc.

MFisher

Definitely a wide ranging topic.... What you need to do is simply ask yourself what really gets you interested... the different corners of collecting can get very deep in terms of whats available out there... Hell, for example one year I stumbled upon a vintage vinyl album of the Thunderball Soundtrack... the cover art is from the movie poster... really cool find... so then I fell off into digging up any old vinyl from the Bond series that had an illustrated cover (as opposed to a photo etc) Ended up scoring 9 really cool albums that I framed in frames specific for vinyl and hung them in my den... Point being.. you can really get off on a hundred different tangents with collecting.. just find a niche you like and dive in..

BCFDRay

Like Walther p99 and MFisher said, you have to decide what it is you want to collect related to Bond, unless you just want to collect "Bond", in which case the skies the limit. I personally collect firearms, but every once in a while I incorporate an article of Bond clothing into my wardrobe. On the same note, if I see a random piece of Bond memorabilia (Spectre ring, Live and Let Die Tarot cards, etc) I'm prone to pick it up.
So, you don't necessarily have to limit yourself, but if you want to have a particular niche. Watch the movies and when you catch yourself thinking "Oh man, I wish I had that!"..start with that

texas007

you got to collect what you love - I got all kind of stuffs - mainly props, prop replicas, artworks because I love to see them all the time and I unwind my days by looking through them and handling them - but some people prefer more usable items like clothing etc. so its really up to you and what makes you happy

007Downunder

I echo other comments it's all personal. For unisex limited ed steelbook blu rays nice.
If u like books the Folio society editions really nice.
I like posters and Ice poster has a great range plus some nice canvas ones on eBay including Skyfall
Glen coe DB5.
Other than here James Bond lifestyle great as u see pictures so u can see for eg the sunnies jewelry etc that the Bond girls wear.Good luck

Bond Collectors' Weekends

SPECIALIZE. Only books or replica props or foreign books or clothes, as much as possible--or else face poverty!

Jimbo Bond 007

I echo all the sentiments and good advice above. It's very easy to get carried away and collect anything and everything related to Bond, as there is just so much of it. Find the things that you really like, it maybe records or books, posters or toys, you may decided to collect items from a certain period, or certain actor. Collect because you like the items and want to have them, if they are rare or limited editions then they maybe a good investment, but not always, so collect for the love of it. My best piece of advice would be to always do your research, ask advice and have a budget otherwise it's very easy to get carried away, trust me!

My collection started with toys as I loved the packaging, but I've since got a vast amount of other 007 items. Yes, I got carried away!

Enjoy the hunting and I look forward to seeing your collection in the future.

clublos

I suggest bottles and blondes. Not necessarily in that order.

Gadget Meister

Discipline 007, discipline.

I think the hardest thing is not to buy everything you see. I specialise in replica props (my screen used collection is VERY small, mainly due to cost) I love the research and the work that goes into creating replica props, my yardstick is if you cannot distinguish it from the real thing then you've succeeded. I try to stick to that adage in my creations and those that I obtain from others, this becomes self limiting as there are those that can and there are those that can't, it doesn't take long, just from reading AJB, to find those who can. There are certain non-prop items that I can't resist, Big Chief, Reference Books, Eaglemoss etc. Very very occasionally I may buy a item of ....... clothing (Now awaiting an "I told you so" from Mantis ) a Levi Menlo is a good example, but I like the jacket and managed to pick it up for a very reasonable price new. By initially sitting on the sidelines of AJB for some time I eventually dived in and, yes it can feel a little cliquey at first but we don't bite, do your own research first, give more than you receive to start with and it will pay back in spades. If you dive in with question after question after question, as someone did recently, then don't be surprised if the reception cools rapidly. Most of us are willing to share our knowledge, sometimes by PM and not open forum, but always remember not to bite the hand that feeds.

Finally welcome to AJB, you have definitely started the right way. {[]

minigeff

Go for prop replicas, far better than anything else

The Bond Experience

I so lazy...I will just put this VERY ancient article I wrote on collecting Bond (shockingly lifestyle slanted) here for your perusal:

http://www.freewebs.com/zaritsky/collectingarticles.htm

Bond44

We all stared where you are and some great advice above. Simple advice is buy what you like it will evolve over time based on your own preferences.

Oh and enjoy it and start saving now! It’s not a cheap hobby!!

Cheers :007)

Cajun

The Mantis wrote:

http://www.freewebs.com/zaritsky/collectingarticles.htm

What's old is new again. Great blog, David.

anotherbondfan, as others have alluded to, merging your personal and professional interests with the collecting bug is a good strategy, thus enriching your connection with whatever it is you acquire. It minimizes the chances of one day waking up to the collection you've spent your hard-earned time and money on and wondering what about it made you happy. Much like stacking the deck in your favor when choosing a career, focus on what it is that you (and of course your favorite Bond) enjoy and with a little research, collecting opportunities will present themselves.

CB0012

My best advise is to look at your favorite Bond actor or even more specific your favorite films and try to find your niche.

When I got bit by the prop bug I tired to find one definitive item for each ie. the Tatiana photo in From Russia With Love (still infinite thanks, Ed!), Casino Royale chips, Jack the Bulldog from Skyfall... still have a few more to obtain. I tried the less is more approach but alas it's hard to keep that mentality once you get rolling.

Then I looked at each Bond in particular to see if there would be something that defined them in my eyes. For example I'm not the biggest Dalton fan but the Casino De Isthmus chips compliment my collection well.

As for the fashion I tend to borrow from the style instead of going for screen accurate replication. The watches however are hard for me to ignore.

I will echo what others have said in that you'll find your way. The journey alone is almost the best part.

James Brosnan

Collect what makes you happy and don't be afraid to stop if it no longer makes you happy. To find what makes you happy, experiment with the various collecting options posted above.

We all collect for different reasons. I collect to connect with my dad in ways I am unable to connect with him directly. My only fond memories of my father are watching James Bond movies and he was most loving towards me when we were watching James Bond (I could only lay my head on his chest if James Bond was on, nothing else). I also grew up very poor, so I enjoy the high quality clothing aspect. The clothes have always been my thing because I like the experience of feeling like I'm James Bond, just like my dad was secretly trying to teach me (daddy issues anyone?).

So, I dress like James Bond every day of my life and enjoy every minute of it. For as long as I enjoy collecting the clothes and dressing like James Bond, I will continue to do it; maybe that will be for the rest of my life, maybe it won't.

Best of luck, and welcome to the forums. -{

anotherbondfan

Hello again! I didn't quite realize so many of you responded, so thank you all very much for the kind and welcoming responses, they've only got me more excited to begin my collection! Can't wait to keep you all posted and thank you again!

Sterling Archer

I have been a serious collector in other hobbies and I'm done with that life. It feels like a burden is lifted. It can be addicting and you feel the need to keep getting more and more because the supply and goals are endless.


With Bond, I buy some of the clothes. I don't consider it a collection. They are nice clothes that I wear and they happen to have a Bond link. I wouldn't have bought them if I didn't really like the design, fit, and quality.


Never think, "what should I collect?" Just let the collection come to you. Naturally, being on this forum, you'll build up a collection as people post some awesome things that are hard to resist. Don't get caught up in collecting for collecting's sake though.

Tato007

I started by buying a dvd James Bond (Goldeneye). I immediately liked, I bought another one, then another one .... I finally bought the integral box.

After I made weapons used by James Bond (walther ppk, p99, Wa2000 ...) I made them in wood. After I made props. I managed to find all the cinema posters (120 * 180cm) of all James Bond.

I started making props papers and then buying clothes used during the movies.

Many now I have a lot of james bond object and we must find room to put all this.

ps: i also have all the james bond books.

DutchJamesBondFan

I started with a DVD set and then I went to the (behind the scenes) books and car models. Later I started to collect more around Bond. Like the bulldog or a mug. Via Philips, my fathers work I got a director chair, so see if your connections can do something for you. As I'm getting older I'm beginning to more focus on clothes now I van afford them. Only if I like them of course. Maybe TheBondExperience or some other channels can inspire you. Remember: Each collection is someones own personal thing, only collect what you want, if something expensive doesn't mean it's worth much for you.

Most importantly: Have fun -{

jdwad246

Sterling Archer wrote:

I have been a serious collector in other hobbies and I'm done with that life. It feels like a burden is lifted. It can be addicting and you feel the need to keep getting more and more because the supply and goals are endless.


With Bond, I buy some of the clothes. I don't consider it a collection. They are nice clothes that I wear and they happen to have a Bond link. I wouldn't have bought them if I didn't really like the design, fit, and quality.


Never think, "what should I collect?" Just let the collection come to you. Naturally, being on this forum, you'll build up a collection as people post some awesome things that are hard to resist. Don't get caught up in collecting for collecting's sake though.

I couldn't agree more with this post. I have been collecting different "obsessions" for years and it gets old and has literally made me sick at times. I collect what I like now and don't worry about getting "everything".

Bonddirector

I have enjoyed following this thread and can relate to your dilemma. About 30 years ago I started to consciously focus on collecting 007 memorabilia. I was very much like you with a splatter of odds and ends until I found my niche and started collecting the toys. You have been given some great advise and I agree and echo "collect what you enjoy and love"; however another question you should be considering is what do you want to do with your collection? Do you want to be able to display your items for your enjoyment? Where? How?

When I started out, I had my first major finds, a MIB AC Gilbert 007 action figure and a Corgi DB5 and Toyota 2000 gt on top of one of my bedroom dressers. As I went down the 007 rabbit hole and the thrill of the hunt took over, my dresser top was soon overflowing and I moved my collection into our guest bedroom. It started out as a corner of the room... then I took over a wall... and on and on it went. Eventually, much of my collection would be temporalliy on display and then it would go into storage somewhere in the house where I could find room to put it.

When my wife and I moved, one thing I looked for in our new home was a place to put my collection. I was "granted" one half of the unfinished basement for my "Bond Room". We have been here now for over 20 years and I have now "commandeered" practically the entire basement. I partially finished the rooms and I now have over 90% of my collection on display for my enjoyment and to be able to show it off to my friends and family.

When I got started, I never realized how much stuff was out there. I have no regrets and I still enjoy it greatly, but do think how YOU want to enjoy your collection and what space you may have to eventually accommodate your affliction. Don't let it sit in a stacked-up closet getting dusty. Enjoy it and have fun!

GilFran007

I like collecting things you can wear....so you can have it, appreciate it, while you are out and about.

In the JB world however, that gets very pricy very fast