Auction of Film & TV Costumes at Bonhams

Obi-Wan Kenobi’s cloak, Dr Who’s coat, Del Boy and Rodney’s Batman and Robin Costumes, and James Bond’s suits go under the hammer. The Angels Star Collection – The UK's largest auction of film & TV costumes at Bonhams.

A remarkable collection of costumes created and supplied by Angels The Costumiers, for some of the most iconic international film, television and theatre productions in history will be sold at Bonhams in Knightsbridge on Tuesday 6 March 2007, in what is believed to be the UK's largest auction of film and television costumes.

More than 400 Angels outfits including Obi Wan’s Cloak (Star Wars, Alec Guinness £50,000-60,000), James Bond’s Suits (e.g. Thunderball, Sean Connery £30,000-40,000 & Tomorrow Never Dies, Pierce Brosnan £4,000-5,000) and a selection of costumes (original and publicity) from each of the Dr. Whos (ranging from £3,000-5,000), will be available to collectors and amateur fans alike. Other lots in the Bonhams sale of Angels costumes include the most prominent costumes from films such as Braveheart, Titanic, Elizabeth, Indiana Jones, Highlander, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Evita, Superman & Harry Potter.

In recognition of the popular appeal of the items, and a world first in terms of a viewing experience, Bonhams’ saleroom will be turned into a star’s dressing room – allowing interested customers the opportunity to try on selected costumes.

Tim Angel, Chairman of Angels, and fifth generation of the family firm comments, “The joy of being in this business is that you know you are creating something that will help an audience immerse itself in a different world. Our costumes are famous for fulfilling the exact requirements and needs of the film, and are researched and tailored to the highest standard.

Whether it is the cloak of a Jedi knight from a galaxy far, far away, or the most elegant suit worn by Her Majesty’s best secret agent, our job is done if the audience are convinced by the authenticity and effectiveness of the costumes shown on the screen.

The flip-side of creating such iconic costumes, that become so very famous and so firmly associated with key movies, is that they can never be used in other films or productions, nor can they be made available from our fancy dress shop…for obvious reasons! With over a century and a half’s worth of costumes on the racks, each with ever increasing insurance requirements, and space at a premium, it seemed the right time for us to allow collectors and fans the chance to take home a piece of the movie magic.”

Jon Baddeley, Group Head of the Collector’s Department at Bonhams comments: "The Angels collection of film and television costumes is without doubt the largest and most important archive of its type ever to come to auction. It will give film fans world-wide the unique opportunity to acquire clothing worn by their heroes in some of the most famous British and international films made over the last 60 years. An event not to be missed by any film aficionado."

For further information, visit bonhams.com.