007's Walther From Iconic Connery Photo Sold At Auction

The Walther pistol held by Sean Connery in a famous photograph taken to help publicise 'From Russia, With Love' (1963) has sold for an astonishing £277,250 ($436,828) at auction in London.

The Walther Air pistol realised more than ten times the original estimate of £15,000-£20,000 when it was sold at Christie's auction rooms in central London on Thursday 25th November. It was sold as part of Christie's 'Popular Culture: Film and Entertainment' sale. The Air pistol, a .177 (4.5mm) Walther Air pistol, came with its original close-fitted Walther case with sight elements. It was also accompanied by a letter concerning its provenance from the original vendor, which stated that the photograph he shot of Connery was used in some form or another to promote every Bond film until 'You Only Live Twice'.  In addition, there was a 10x8 inch reproduction still of Connery posing with the gun, an image that, in many ways, became an iconic image of the 1960s, and has appeared in many books and documentaries about the cultural aspects of that decade.

The original photo used in the photo-shoot was utilised both for the key publicity image for 'From Russia, With Love' and for the main film poster painting, which helped the movie to break box-office records when it was released in Britain. There was also a collection of 'From Russia, With Love' publicity material in the same auction.

Other items of interest to 007 fans at the Christie's auction included a feathered country-style hunting trilby warn by David Niven as 'Sir James Bond' in the spoof Bond movie 'Casino Royale' (1967), and memorabilia, props and costumes from 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service', 'The Man With The Golden Gun', 'The Spy Who Loved Me', and 'Octopussy'.

There was particular interest in a Moviola editing frame used by Peter Hunt, and in a small pistol used by Nick-Nack (Herve Villechaize). A number of 007-related costumes were also on sale, including George Lazenby's riding bottoms and an orange uniform worn by one of Stromberg's men from 'The Spy Who Loved Me'. An 'Octopussy' circus display sign was also part of the 007 section of the auction.