Corgi: James Bond Ingots in auction in June
Astons
Posts: 13MI6 Agent
Hi all!
I work at a UK-based specialist toy auction, so if posting this is in breach of any forum guidelines, I apologise, and would ask the relevant authorities to delete the post!
Anyway, in June we are selling a collection that comes from an ex-employee of Corgi (the Design Manager from 2000 to 2006). Among many other things... there is a lot of Bond-related material, including box design concepts, mock ups, photos and suchlike.
The main reason I've registered to post is that we have two of the James Bond gold plated models in the 'Golden Opportunity' box. I found your discussion on the item (here) and though you'd be interested to see something early!
Both are limited editions: 094/099 and 099/099. The pics I've included are of 094, which has been opened, whereas 099 is still in its tissue paper wrapping. There's a ton of other stuff and if the forum owners don't mind (and there is interest), I'll try to post some additional pictures and/or information in this thread.
In the meantime...
No. 094 of 099
Letter From 'M'
Docket
Outer box
Close-up of certificate
Cheers,
James.
I work at a UK-based specialist toy auction, so if posting this is in breach of any forum guidelines, I apologise, and would ask the relevant authorities to delete the post!
Anyway, in June we are selling a collection that comes from an ex-employee of Corgi (the Design Manager from 2000 to 2006). Among many other things... there is a lot of Bond-related material, including box design concepts, mock ups, photos and suchlike.
The main reason I've registered to post is that we have two of the James Bond gold plated models in the 'Golden Opportunity' box. I found your discussion on the item (here) and though you'd be interested to see something early!
Both are limited editions: 094/099 and 099/099. The pics I've included are of 094, which has been opened, whereas 099 is still in its tissue paper wrapping. There's a ton of other stuff and if the forum owners don't mind (and there is interest), I'll try to post some additional pictures and/or information in this thread.
In the meantime...
No. 094 of 099
Letter From 'M'
Docket
Outer box
Close-up of certificate
Cheers,
James.
Comments
Aston's Auctioneers
www.astonstoyauctions.co.uk
Cheers,
James
Last pic I have with me - this shows 094 on the top shelf, the middle shelf (will be sold as a lot) is design work for the item: it contains the concept box (to the left) and a pre-production (empty) one; some sketches; a couple of models; a mock-up; a bunch of un-numbered 'Letters from 'M''; a dozen or so empty dockets... etc. The bottom shelf is 099/099 (the letter is number 99 and the white box has the number on one end in pencil.
I'll try to snap some more pics at work tomorrow
Cheers,
James.
Interestingly enough, that's the impression we got too. Apparently there was more than one 'wave' of releases, the initial ones being limited to 99 with the orders and certificate on the fold-out flap. I'll see if I can get this confirmed for you.
Another pic... 'The World Is Not Enough' Definitive Collection diorama boxed set, with box art visuals. More to follow when I actually have time to snap some and post them up!
That it includes the original roughs is pretty cool. I never bought that particular piece because the execution of the diorama itself was so poor; reminded me of a chalkware carnival prize.
There is a link on the Aston's homepage for The Saleroom; this site not only provides an absentee bidding service for Aston's as well as a host of other more obscure auction houses but let's you search them for listings -- like Bond memorabilia -- that wouldn't necessarily turn-up through, say, Google.
PoorMansJB is correct - you can bid live online, place absentee bids online, and also contact us directly to place absentee bids. Once the catalogue is online you can also contact us (via The Saleroom, email, telephone) to ask any specific questions you may have about a lot.
Of course, attending in person is much more fun if you can! You can get a pretty good taste of this kind of "real" auction online on The Saleroom... just find a random auction that offers Live Bidding and watch it (most have live audio and some have a video feed, although this is usually just a guy/gal shouting numbers and wielding a gavel...). There's no need to register to watch a sale.
As regards finding other stuff, a search through sites like these can turn up some really interesting stuff (I spent far too long looking at some vintage Wild West-type pistols with estimates in the thousands...); most auction houses also offer an email subscription service (ours is free) so that you will automatically be notified when a new auction catalogue is available.
I'd suggest that anyone who is interested, and has not used a "proper" auction house before, has a good read through all the Terms and Conditions, small print, etc. I'm happy to answer any general questions anyone may have either on this thread or via a PM.
More photos of the shinies soon...
What I like about the Saleroom is it can do a simultaneous search of all auction houses registered with them and allows for saved searches ala eBay; I get notices every day of auctions I'd never know of otherwise and have scored some serious bargains on items that would have sold for much, much more on eBay or thru Christie's, etc.
I also second your comment regarding Terms & Conditions: I recently bid on and won a minor item but failed to note that the house only accepted funds by wire; by the time I was done, I'd spent about five times my original bid.
:-)
Two more pieces of design art, this time colour visuals...
And an idea for the orders docket: this one was a card sleeve with the instructions inside...
Hi Astons, you've certainly hit the nail on the head by allowing the members of AJB007 to see these marvelous concept designs for which I/we thank you -{
+1 -{
Will you be showcasing any of the items at Sandown Toy Fair ?
Absolute pleasure. We're grateful that you're so welcoming!
A slideshow at least and we're aiming to get a nice display up!
Thank you for the update Astons. Good luck with your sale -{
That's just old age and a bad diet
Some very nice items there, thank you for posting, will be at Sandown, so looking forward to having a chat -{
I've linked to the catalogue with the 'James Bond' search term applied. It may be that some of the photographs and/or categories are not yet showing - if this is the case then everything will hopefully have appeared by later on today (remember to refresh your browser if you check back and nothing seems to have updated...).
Again, I'd strongly recommend that anyone interested who is not familiar with bidding on items offered by "proper" auctioneers, takes a good look through the terms and conditions before signing up to bid. For those who can't attend, we do have an efficient and VERY reasonably priced in-house P&P service. Drop me a PM or reply in here with any questions - this account is linked with the work email and I'm more than happy to help out in any way I can.
In the meantime, thank you for the fantastic reception you've given me here on AJB007 - I'll definitely recommend you to any Bond fans I encounter, and will likely lurk around until we turn up something else you might find interesting!
James
Thanks.
This is the first time we've supplied a glossary with our catalogue - sadly it's not on the online version. So here you go!
The John Gilbert Corgi Design Collection
Provenance
Each lot will be accompanied by a certificate signed by a representative of Aston’s Auctioneers as well as Mr. Gilbert (Corgi Design Manager, 2000 to 2006). In addition, Mr. Gilbert will be attending the auction to answer any further questions bidders may have.
Estimates
Due to the unique nature of many of the lots in the Corgi Design collection, guide prices have not been provided. We would therefore recommend that online bidders view these lots carefully before leaving commission bids or bidding online. Naturally, the best way to purchase these lots is by attending the sale where Mr. Gilbert will be on hand to answer any questions you may have, as well as sign his pieces if requested.
Glossary of terms
Concepts - the initial ideas.
Corgi Premiums Department - the role was to promote the Corgi brand to a wider audience and to sell vehicles from the tooling bank to companies to be used for their own promotions (such as marketing tie-ins, many companies would put their liveries on the side of a Corgi vehicle).
Scamp - a scamp is the very first idea/concept that is put to paper, these tend to be in pencil or fine pen.
Finished Visual - is the idea finished in colour and ready for presentation.
Marker Visuals - a visual that has been coloured up using Magic Markers (felt tip pens)
Mock-ups - this is where the pack is made up usually to size to give people (marketing team and sales team) an impression of what the final product will look like.
POS (Point of Sale) - Merchandising/Promotional items used in shops to create or enhance displays of stock
Proofs - printed copies of the box artwork created in the final stages of the design process. These were to be approved by design staff and other relevant parties (including promotion partners, production companies, IP management, etc) and any final alterations ordered.
Visual - this is an idea that has been taken to the next level after a scamp, it will look more thought through and will have more detail.
The gold ingot numbered 94/99 sold for £1,300; the mint condition Gold Ingot 99/99 sold for a golden £1,800. Other lots that consisted of pre-production design samples and unused concepts also sold for a fairly hefty price. Some of these items are now starting to appear on Ebay.
Serious collectors might want to look at Aston's catalogue for 7th August 2014 as another 'Golden Opportunity' ingot is up for grabs (Lot 683). See the following link - http://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auction-catalogues/astons-toy-auctions/catalogue-id-2900050?page=19.
John Gilbert was also interviewed by the Collectors Club of Great Britain. The interview is posted on youtube via the following link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8F5I_cKMrg.