Bonhams to auction extensive ‘Personal Collection’ of the legendary Sir Roger Moore

03/10/2023

An incredible array of items from Sir Roger Moore’s personal collection is set to go under the gavel at Bonhams in London. Here are all the details.

On 4th October, from 1pm BST, the personal collection curated by the Bond franchise’s longest-running star will go on auction.

The late Sir Roger Moore, who lived in Monaco and died in 2017 and is buried here, appeared in a total of seven Bond films, more than any other actor who took on the main role, including Live and Let Die (1973), The Spy Who Loved Me (1977), For Your Eyes Only (1981), Octopussy (1983), and A View to a Kill (1985).

Memorabilia from these cult status movies, such as a Douglas Hayward double-breasted mohair dinner suit made for the actor in A View To A Kill, which is expected to go for between €23,000 and €35,000, and signed film posters and programmes from his films, are amongst the 224 lots listed by Bonhams.

“Sir Roger was known for his immaculate dress sense and style, and this beautifully tailored overcoat by Cyril Castle is a very iconic item for Bond collectors.”

“There are so many unique lots in the sale and none more eye-catching than Sir Roger’s mohair dinner suit from A View to a Kill, which was used in the unforgettable scene when James Bond chases May Day up and then down the Eiffel Tower,” Harvey Cammell, Global Director of Valuations, Trusts and Estates as well as Deputy Chairman of the UK branch of Bonhams, tells Monaco Life.

“One of the most important lots in the sale is the navy blue Chesterfield double-breasted overcoat, which [Moore] wears in the opening scene of Live and Let Die, as he emerges from JFK airport on his way to meet the film’s villain, Mr. Big. Sir Roger was known for his immaculate dress sense and style, and this beautifully tailored overcoat by Cyril Castle is a very iconic item for Bond collectors.”

Another highlight will certainly be the unique Omega Seamaster chronograph wristwatch€580 – €810, which Cammell says has ” generated much excitement with fans and watch collectors alike”.

“It is a special limited edition watch to mark 50 years of the James Bond franchise and iOS engraved with a special dedication to Sir Roger from Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, the producers of 007,” explains Cammell.

“Sir Roger devoted 27 years of his life to raising millions of pounds for UNICEF and in recognition of this, the family are also donating…”

Other items are even more personal in nature, from Moore’s Gucci address and notebook to treasured books that the London-born star enjoyed throughout his life, like Captain Courageous by Rudyard Kipling and a compilation of Fairy Tales by Hans Christian Anderson. There are various awards and trophies that commemorate not just the Bond films, but also Moore’s contribution to TV: The Saint from 1962 to 1969 and 1971’s The Persuaders.

“Given Sir Roger’s longstanding role as Goodwill Ambassador to UNICEF, the family have kindly donated the proceeds of a lot comprising his UNICEF award and related ephemera to the charity,” says Cammell. “Sir Roger devoted 27 years of his life to raising millions of pounds for UNICEF and in recognition of this, the family are also donating a percentage of the sale proceeds to the charity following the sale.”

The auction will, as fate would have it, take place on New Bond Street. It is a live auction and registrations can be made here.

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Images courtesy of Bonhams

Newly renovated La Scala Post Office revealed

by: Stephanie Horsman

03/10/2023

The La Scala Post Office has received a revamp and has reopened to the public with some new features.

Rémy Rolland, Director General of the Department of Finance and the Economy, visited the renovated site located at the Palazzo de la Scala on Thursday 28^th September.

The main aim of the renovation works was to improve the layout, the light, the acoustics and optimise the counter area.

“Today, the La Scala Post Office has a completely revised reception desk, including a counter for people with reduced mobility,” said the government in a statement. “The establishment is now equipped with automatic doors making it easier for everyone to access.”

As the main post office in Monte-Carlo, the Palais de la Scala welcomes around 250 customers per day.

Meanwhile, the Monaco Post Office receives an average of 25,000 letters and 2,500 parcels per day to be distributed in the Principality.

Photo: Rémy Rolland, Director General of the Department of Finance and the Economy, wwith Lara Terlizzi-Enza, Director of the Office of Postage Stamp Issues, Anthony de Sevelinges, Head of the Public Buildings Maintenance Service, and Frank Feurra, Director of the Monaco Post Office and Monegasque personalities. Credit: Manuel Vitali, Government Communication Department

Opera: Les Musicians du Prince and Cecilia Bartoli embark on EU tour ahead of busy Monaco season

by: Niki Borisova

03/10/2023

With the autumn season kicking into full swing, Les Musicians du Prince – Monaco is set to embark on a European tour ahead of an exciting schedule in the Principality.

Les Musicians du Prince – Monaco is an orchestra founded in 2016 at the Opera de Monte-Carlo by Cecilia Bartoli, a renowned mezzo-soprano opera singer and recitalist who recently took on a role as the artistic director of Opera de Monte-Carlo.

Les Musicians du Prince and Cecilia Bartoli are no strangers to touring abroad, having previously performed in some of Europe’s major venues and being regular performers in Salzburg for the Whitsun and Summer festivals.

This autumn, from 19^th October to 1^st November, Les Musicians du Prince and Cecilia Bartoli will embark on a European tour to present the baroque masterpiece Giulio Cesare in Egitto by Handel in concert.

Lead-up to the Opera de Monte-Carlo season

The tour marks an exciting phase in the preparation for the upcoming stage performances of the work scheduled for January at the Opera de Monte-Carlo.

Under the direction of Gianluca Capuano, this series of concerts will feature an exceptional cast, including Carlo Vistoli in the title role and Cecilia Bartoli as Cleopatra.

The tour will begin on 19^th October in Luxembourg, moving on to Paris on 23^rd and 25^th October, followed by Brussels on 27^th October, Amsterdam on 30^th October, and concluding in Cologne on 1^st November.

Back at home, in Monaco, Opera de Monte-Carlo has two events in store for this autumn. Coming soon are ‘Messa da Requim’, a choir concert directed by Daniel Barenboim, and ‘Don Carlo’, a grand opera directed by Massimo Zanetti.

The highlight of the year

Winter promises to be even more thrilling, with the ‘Phantom of the Opera’, never performed in France, taking centre stage for 20 performances at the Opera de Monte-Carlo from 16th until 31st December.

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Opera de Monte-Carlo announces end of year production: Phantom of the Opera!

Photo source: OPMC

Fête de la Science puts advances in sport under the microscope

by: Stephanie Horsman

03/10/2023

This year’s Fête de la Science is capitalising on the Rugby World Cup and the upcoming Olympic Games with an edition that will focus on sport. Here’s what you need to know.

Throughout October, laboratories, research centres and other science facilities across France will open their doors to the public. The annual event is a chance for the average man, woman and child to get a better understanding of France’s scientific efforts and community through special meet-and-greets and workshops that are entirely free to attend.

Over one million people are expected to participate this year, and more than 5,000 events have been organised around the country.

SPORT AND SCIENCE

With the Rugby World Cup and the upcoming summer Olympic Games turning all eyes to France, sport is in the forefront of many people’s minds. The Fête de la Science will draw the line between scientific advances and sport, allowing visitors to see how sporting practices benefit from new developments in nutrition, sociology, biology, biomechanics, psychology, pharmacology and cognitive sciences.

There is, of course, a strong educational aspect to the occasion and it is hoped that the varied programme will encourage young people to consider scientific careers as well as develop an interest and curiosity in the scientific field.

LOCALLY

The national kick-off is taking place at the Musée de l’Homme in Paris on 6th through to 8th October, but there are lots of events in the Riviera too.

In the Alpes-Maritimes, the Fête de la Science runs until 25th October, giving people a chance to “discover and experiment with chemistry, biology, astronomy, physics, geology, mathematics, digital sciences, AI, robotics, and environmental sciences” in several locations around the region, including in the Vallée de la Vésubie, Villeneuve-Loubet, Sophia Antipolis, Mouans Sartoux, Menton, Nice, Antibes, Cannes, Grasse, Cagnes-sur-Mer and Valbonne.

For a detailed breakdown of the local programme, please click here.

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Photo source: Ousa Chea, Unsplash

First luxury drone delivery at sea a huge success

by: Stephanie Horsman

03/10/2023

Monaco-based drone operator MC-CLIC is toasting its successes after landing a luxury package containing champagne and caviar onboard a superyacht off the coast of the Principality.

While retail giants such as Amazon and Walmart toy with the concept of delivering packages by drone drop, the luxury goods world is also getting in on the action.

Over the weekend, Kookiejar of Sweden, Superyacht Supplies Ltd and Monaco-based drone operator MC-CLIC, in collaboration with Baccana Digital Consulting, came together to make the first land-to-sea delivery using an electric-powered drone.

The drone, which took off from the Fontvieille harbour, safely and efficiently delivered a five-kilo parcel containing several luxury items, including a luxury watch by RALF TECH, a bottle of Dom Perignon Champagne and Azure Caviar, to the M/Y Ocean Coral, which is managed by the Ahoy Club.

This kind of drone delivery service could be a breakthrough in shore-to-ship deliveries, allowing goods to be transported quickly and without leaving much, if any, carbon footprint.

The inaugural flight was witnessed by several local and international players, including Guillaume Rose, CEO of the Monaco Economic Board and a member of Monaco’s National Council, the Air Chateau company of Dubai, the Giraudi Group and Florent Saez, the manager of Monaco-based Delovery company, as well as Michel Bouquier of Monaco Private Label.

BIGGER PICTURE

This project is now expected to be rolled out across the Principality, with the Fontvieille take-off zone soon to be joined by three more sites. The service will allow a variety of items, from spare parts and equipment to luxury care packages, to be delivered to vessels afloat in the area without the need for a tender to be dispatched to port.

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Photo via Baccana Digital Consulting

Hôtel L’Impérial Garoupe on Cap d’Antibes to auction furniture ahead of renovations

by: Stephanie Horsman

03/10/2023

If you love the look of a luxury hotel like the Hôtel L’Impérial Garoupe on the Cap d’Antibes, this is your chance to get your hands on some stunning décor and furniture pieces.

The 35-room L’Impérial Garoupe, located on the eternally glamourous Cap d’Antibes, is about to be completely restyled.

Bought in May of this year by the Inwood Hotels Group, a company that owns 12 luxury hotels in France, including Nice’s La Malmaison and the Parisian addresses of Elysia, Le Derby Alma and Le Walt, amongst others, the L’Impérial Garoupe is going to be transformed by architect Oscar Lucien Ono and Maison Numéro 20 over the winter months, with a grand reopening scheduled for spring of 2024.

*The five-star Hôtel L’Impérial Garoupe on the Cap d’Antibes*

TWO AUCTION EVENTS

But before the hammers start swinging, the hotel will be putting hundreds of elegant and interesting pieces of furniture and works of art under the gavel at two separate auction sales.

The live sale will take place on Tuesday 10th October at 2pm, with 164 lots up for grabs. The sale is open to the public and will give clients a chance to peruse the hotel as well as perhaps pick up a new item for their homes.

The online sale will be held on Wednesday 11th October from 11am via www.drout.com.

An exhibition presenting the various items has been organised on site for Monday 9th October, between noon and 5pm, in addition to an appointment-only showing the following day between 10am and noon.

“We are delighted to put our expertise as auctioneers at the service of corporate assets,” says Elsa Joly-Malhomme, who will lead the auction.

FOR A GOOD CAUSE

What makes this auction particularly special is that a portion of the proceeds will go to NaturDive, a charity organisation created in 2017 whose aim is to protect the Mediterranean marine environment and its biodiversity.

“We are particularly affected and directly concerned by the preservation of our coastline and seabed,” says Olivier Romain, Director of L’Impérial Garoupe. “NaturDive has the ability to take concrete action, particularly off the coast of Antibes, and we naturally wish to provide them with our support through these auctions.”

For further information about the auction, please click here, and for more information on NaturDive, please click here.

Click on the images below to see a selection of the lots due to go up for auction:

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Photo source: Hôtel L’Impérial Garoupe / Inwood Hotels Group

Day: 3 October 2023

Bonhams to auction extensive ‘Personal Collection’ of the legendary Sir Roger Moore

Newly renovated La Scala Post Office revealed