Memorabilia are forever

You might say Alan Stephenson is a man on a mission.
Unlike movie icon James Bond, Stephenson’s quest has nothing to do with thwarting the Russians or keeping diamonds from falling into the wrong hands.
This Arroyo Grande man pursues everything connected to Agent 2007.
As today’s Tribune story explains, he’s been collecting James Bond memorabilia since childhood. It’s a rocky pursuit.
“There is that sinking feeling when you lose the eBay auction, but I have to keep reminding myself, ‘It’s OK. They’re going to surface again,’ ” Stephenson said.
Stephenson takes himself a little less seriously than some Bond collectors.
He jokes about ad campaigns in the 1960s that tried to convince customers, “Wear this cologne and you will be James Bond. You’ll have the power to (get) women.”
The same line of reasoning continues today with collectible poker chips, lighters and replica guns listed for thousands of dollars, he says.
“It really annoys me to hear, ‘I’m living the James Bond lifestyle. I bought the $7,000 watch and the $10,000 tuxedo,’ ” Stephenson says. “You’re not living the James Bond lifestyle. You just bought a bunch of expensive crap.”
Stephenson’s own collection is more playful.
Over the decades, the collector has amassed a James Bond-themed bathrobe, a 007 slot machine, wallpaper, neckties, martini shakers and scores of movie props — as well as the usual toy cars and dolls.

Among his treasures:
• Black leather chair used by the villain Stromberg in “The Spy Who Loved Me”
• Red “missile control operator” uniform from “The Spy Who Loved Me”
• Yellow jumpsuit worn by Martin Grace — James Bond’s stunt double in “Moonraker”
• James Bond slot-car set, featuring a mountain track similar to the Alps scenes in “Goldfinger”
• Odd Job “action puppet,” from “Goldfinger” — complete with bowler hat
• Submarine model set from “The Spy Who Loved Me”
• Souvenir license plates: “007 FAN” and “EVL DOER”
• Russian nesting dolls depicting four actors who have played Bond: Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton and Pierce Brosnan
• Rubbing taken from the grave of English author Ian Fleming, creator of James Bond

Stephenson uses the slogan “The Poor Man’s James Bond” for his design business, Klaus Ink. Collectors and fellow Bond fans can reach him at poormansjb@sbcglobal.net.

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Here’s a fun game:
Always wondered about your secret agent identity? Visit Sideshow Collectibles’ Web site to find out your “agent name.”
Just click here.