Bond lover: Selvarajah posing with his James Bond memorabilia which he has collected from 1962.

KUALA LUMPUR: His name is Selvarajah, K. Selvarajah, and he has been on a mission to collect the most rare and sought-after memorabilia of James Bond.

The 67-year-old retired English teacher from Kuala Lumpur is an avid fan of Ian Fleming's hero.

He began his collection in 1963 with a fascination for the movies' posters and soundtrack album.

Selvarajah's Bond collection includes all the albums in five different formats from 12-inch vinyl records and 45rpm, to seven-inch EPs and SPs, to audio cassettes as well as 4T/8T cartridges.

Also among his collectibles are rare movie programmes from cinemas in Japan and the United States, movie tie-in books, videotapes, VCDs, DVDs, lobby cards and other merchandise.

Most of his items were obtained from the United States, Europe and Japan through friends, James Bond fan club members, relatives and pen pals.

Selvarajah said he did not spend much money on the items but had spent quite a bit in establishing contacts, whom he exchanged rare or sought-after pieces from around Asia.

“All collectible items are expensive, so I became a member of international clubs and learnt more about the collections,” he said.

“I would usually exchange things from this region for the things I need, which are usually items that are limited edition,” he added.

Selvarajah's favourite soundtrack is From Russia With Love by John Barry.

“The movie programmes were sold in cinemas only. (They were) never commercialised and are difficult to locate now,” said Selvarajah.

“So, I get them from all over the world, some of which are via the international collectors' club.

“For the movie tie-in books, they are only published once alongside the screening of the movie and they are different from the novels as they are based on what's shown,” he added.

He said the oddest item someone had ever requested from him in exchange for his collection was the broomstick which appeared in the Thunderball movie poster.

“My favourite James Bond is Sean Connery and I have watched all the films as well as listened to all the soundtracks,” said Selvarajah.

“James Bond 007 is interesting because the movies take you to some of the most unknown locations and the action scenes are good.”

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