James Bond Memorabilia Auctioned

LONDON (AP) â€” The bikini worn by original Bond girl Ursula Andress in the James Bond film ``Dr. No'' sold for more than $60,000 at Christie's auction house Wednesday. <br><br>``This is the

Wednesday, February 14th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

LONDON (AP) â€” The bikini worn by original Bond girl Ursula Andress in the James Bond film ``Dr. No'' sold for more than $60,000 at Christie's auction house Wednesday.

``This is the most important piece of memorabilia ever sold at auction,'' said new owner Robert Earl, a co-founder of the restaurant chain Planet Hollywood, who bid for the ivory-colored bikini by telephone. He said he plans to display his prize in the chain's new restaurant in Times Square in New York City.

In the first Bond film, Andress emerged from the sea in the bikini, defining the sexy image of the Bond girl and achieving screen immortality.

The swimsuit was one of more than 250 items from 21 James Bond movies at the largest-ever sale of props from the James Bond films.

The most expensive item was a 1965 Aston Martin DB5 driven by actor Pierce Brosnan when he starred as James Bond in the 1995 film ``Golden Eye.'' It went to British computer entrepreneur Max Reid for $228,737.

The car was a Valentine's Day present for his wife, Helen, but Reid said he'd probably share it.

``Every boy dreams of being a James Bond character sometime,'' Reid said.

A specially adapted Rolex wristwatch worn by Roger Moore in the 1973 film ``Live and Let Die'' sold for $36,250. A clapperboard from the film ``Tomorrow Never Dies'' sold for $9,370.

A Walther PPK air pistol held by Sean Connery in the advertising poster of ``From Russia With Love'' sold for $20,445, and an Omega stainless steel diver's watch owned and signed by Pierce Brosnan sold for $10,222.

The sale total, Christie's said, was $869,348.