James Bond posters to go under the hammer

Auctioneers Coys are selling a collection of rare James Bond film posters and memorabilia at their "True Greats" auction on December 1.

The sale will feature posters from iconic productions such as Thunderball, Her Majesty's Secret Service, The World is Not Enough, Octopussy, You Only Live Twice, Dr No, Goldfinger and SPECTRE. The release of the latest Bond film last month has spiked interest, proving the 007 franchise is as popular as ever.

Perhaps the most anticipated item to go on sale is the rare 1965 Thunderball poster, which is estimated from £8,000 to £10,000. "Originally designed in four panel format, intended to be cut into two or four for the cinema to use around the advertising area, this particular version was never cut into sections and is one of the finest examples available." said, Adrian Cowdry, vintage poster specialist at Coys.

A limited edition SPECTRE poster that was designed for the cast and crew of the film will also feature and is estimated to fetch between £700 to £800.

There will also be a number of first edition Bond novels on sale, including Man with the Golden Gun, Octopussy and On Her Majesty's Secret Service, estimated at £150 to £500. 

Also on sale is a 1928 Supercharged Bentley Blower. Long before Ian Fleming placed James Bond at the wheel of an Aston Martin, he had 007 thundering around in a Bentley in the early novels.

Coys' "True Greats" auction takes place on Tuesday 1 December 2015 at 3pm at the Royal Horticultural Society, Lindley Hall, Vincent Square, Westminster, London, SW1P 2PE.

Viewing is available on Monday 30 November and on the day of the sale from 10am.

Businessman leaves £10m Ferraris to RNLI

Businessman leaves £10m Ferraris to RNLI

Businessman Richard Colton has left a rare Ferrari 275 GTB/4 and Ferrari 250 GT SWB to be auctioned, with the proceeds going to the RNLI.

Initial estimates place the combined value of the two Ferraris as potentially topping Ten million pounds. Richard Colton was a Northamptonshire-based businessman, who for 40 years collected and actively campaigned sensational classic cars. Described by close friends as a shy and private man, he was known to be 'somewhat nervous of the sea', which may have added to his great respect for the men and women who risk their lives daily around Britain's coast.

Colton was keen that his legacy be sold by a British classic car specialist auction house - hence H&H was chosen by his executors. Working closely with the auction house, Jim Kearns Senior Partner at Wilson Browne Solicitors was tasked, as joint executor, with ensuring that Colton's estate was executed in line with his wishes, that all proceeds be bequeathed to the RNLI.

Jim Kearns commented; "It is a remarkable and generous legacy. All of us at Wilson Browne Solicitors are proud to be part of such an exciting and wonderful bequest and it's testament to the faith Richard had in us as experts in the field that he not only relied on us for his Will but asked us to ensure that we got the best possible price (as joint executors) so the money could be put to work for the RNLI."

Kearns added; "The exquisite cars really were the impossible gift. To leave them to an individual would have incurred 40 per cent inheritance tax meaning that the cars would most likely have to be sold to pay for it. Leaving them to a charitable cause as noble as the RNLI means that they get the maximum value."

Money raised from the sale will be used to build a new lifeboat called Richard and Caroline Colton, named after Richard and his late wife.

Guy Rose, Legacy Manager at the RNLI, said: "We are deeply grateful and humbled by Mr Colton's generous gift and his decision to benefit the RNLI in this way. Six out of every 10 lifeboat launches are only made possible because of gifts left to us in Wills, so they are vital to saving lives at sea. Mr Colton's generosity will be felt most by our volunteer crews and the people whose lives they save."

The auction takes place on 14 October 2015 at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford, Cambridge.

Ultimate Scalextric track to go under the hammer

Ultimate Scalextric track to go under the hammer

Ultimate Scalextric track to go under the hammer

Ultimate Scalextric track to go under the hammer

Hornby Hobbies' Ultimate 2015 Scalextric track is set to go to auction at CarFest South on Sunday 30 August.

Designed by F1 expert and former racing driver Martin Brundle, the biggest layout the slot car track experts have ever created will take centre stage on Hornby's stand at the festival.

Scalextric's monster track is made up of 177 pieces and is 45 metres long and replicates corners, chicanes and circuit features from the 2015 Formula 1 calendar, including the Ascari Chicane at Monza, Casino Square in Monaco, the Wall of Champions in Canada, Copse corner at Silverstone and the Marina Complex in Abu Dhabi.

Hornby Hobbies Marketing Controller Jim Proctor-Blain said, "We are delighted to be supporting CarFest again this year and are excited so
many people will be able to enjoy the Ultimate 2015 track."

Kindly donated by Hornby and Sky, the Ultimate 2015 track will feature as part of the Classic Car Auctions sale and is offered with no reserve, with all the proceeds from the sale of the track going to Children in Need.

To see and race on the track visit Hornby on stand W25 at CarFest South from 12pm to 7pm on Friday 28 August and 10am to 7pm on 29-30 August.

Rare Aston DB6 Volante up for auction

Rare Aston DB6 Volante up for auction

Rare Aston DB6 Volante up for auction

Rare Aston DB6 Volante up for auction

An exceptionally rare 1969 Aston Martin DB6 Mk 1 Volante Vantage is to go under the hammer at Barons at Sandown Park on 28 July.

One of just 29 ever made, it is believed to be the final such Volante Vantage built. 

Chassis number DBVC-3738R has been in the same ownership since 1981, and is in extremely original condition - even the power hood is thought to be original. Now used only rarely - and only in the dry - it carries an estimate of £500,000-£750,000.

This model rarely comes to market and the auctioneers claim they have been receiving enquiries and many early bidding registrations from potential buyers worldwide.

Barons' director Tony Cavell said, "We are very excited to have the remarkable Aston Martin consigned to the sale, and the reaction has already been outstanding, with a significant amount of interest shown in the car."