Buying Hollywood Memorabilia
Online Auction of Classic, Sci-Fi and Horror Film Treasures
Apr 23, 2009
Starring Hollywood from 1931 to the present, from classic to genre films from famed collectors and studios, the latest auction from Profiles in History www.profilesinhistory.com raises an important question - can you afford NOT to bid?
Check Rita Hayworth’s sizzling Gilda costume estimated to bring between $30 – 50,000? Or the ‘holy grail’ of sci-fi props, the Blade Runner hero blaster or Bela Lugosi’s Dracula ring? Hollywood’s Profiles in History auction house is offering another in its ongoing series of important Hollywood sales, featuring original movie wardrobe and prop pieces that can only increase in value over time.
The original Frankenstein movie poster, Charlton Heston's Planet of the Apes costume, Darth Maul's lightsaber, The Creature From The Black Lagoon's mask and Johnny Depp’s Sleepy Hollow riding gear will go under the hammer 12:00 noon April 30 and 11:00 AM May 1. Bids can be placed in person, via mail, phone, fax or live on the Internet.www.liveauctioneers.com/auctioneer/profiles-in-history.
The Collectors
Horror and sci-fi from the estate of horror film pioneer Forrest J Ackerman's and from the private collections of Tim Burton, Sci-Fi marketing guru Jeff Walker and Stan Winston’s Studio creations will be augmented by notable pieces of Hollywood fine art photography, graphics and posters.
The Jeff Walker Blade Runner collection features Harrison Ford's "Rick Deckard" "Voight Kampff" costume (estimated to fetch $30,000-$50,000). The Stan Winston Studio created collection includes the original battle display from Small Soldiers ($12,000-$15,000) and two Velociraptors feeding on a Triceratops display from Jurassic Park ($12,000-$15,000).
From Tim Burton's private collection come Depp's and Christina Ricci's complete Sleepy Hollow hero costumes ($20,000-$30,000) and a screen-used "General Wellington" stop-motion animation puppet from Corpse Bride ($10,000-$20,000).
Why These Collections Matter
Director John Landis pays tribute to horror pioneer Forrest J Ackerman with this introduction found in the auction catalog - “Forrest J Ackerman holds a unique and special place in the history of Pop Culture. An author, an author's agent, sometime nudist, actor, Esperanto speaker, and a passionate promoter of all things Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror. As Editor of and major contributor to Famous Monsters of Filmland Magazine, Forry's direct influence on people like Guillermo del Toro, Rick Baker, Joe Dante, Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Frank Darabont, Brian Singer, Stephen King, Mick Garris, Tobe Hooper, Sam Raimi, John Carpenter, Peter Jackson and countless others has had a tremendous impact on world literature and the movies. I hope that whoever ends up as the proud new owner of these sacred objects will appreciate them as much as Forry did."
The massive Ackerman collection includes Lugosi’s Count Dracula ring, his robe from The Raven, a cape used by Lugosi for his stage protrayal of Dracula which he repurposed in the cult hit Plan 9 from Outer Space.
History Made Tangible
Incredibly, there is a first edition of Dracula signed by Bram Stoker and inscribed by Lugosi to Ackerman. Fritz Lang’s signature monocole, worn during the making of Metropolis, a gift from Lang to Ackerman is also available.
Choice pieces under auction include Hugh Jackman's "Wolverine" hero claws from X-Men: The Last Stand ($30,000-$50,000), Ewan McGregor's "Obi-Wan Kenobi" lightsaber from Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace ($15,000-$20,000), Arnold Schwarzenegger "T-800 Terminator" stunt Gatling gun from Terminator 2: Judgment Day ($10,000-$12,000), Robin Williams' "Alan Parrish" hero in Jumanji, John Belushi's prison employee identification card from The Blues Brothers ($6,000-$8,000) and Dominic Chianese's "Uncle Junior" hero live firing revolver used to shoot "Tony Soprano" in The Sopranos ($6,000-$8,000).
Also available are Maurice Evans’ "Dr. Zaius" costume,from The Planet of the Apes and Beneath the Planet of the Apes ($40,000-$60,000), a full-body, screen-used Terminator (T-800 model - aka CSM 101) from Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines ($40,000-$60,000), Val Kilmer's "Batman/Sonar Batsuit" ($40,000-$60,000) and Jim Carrey's signature "Riddler" rhinestone unitard and glitter-covered creepers from Batman Forever ($30,000-$50,000), Tom Hanks' "Capt. John H. Miller" and Matt Damon's "Pvt. James Francis Ryan" hero costumes from Saving Private Ryan ($20,000-$30,000), Antonio Banderas' "Zorro" hero costume from The Legend of Zorro ($20,000-$30,000), Derek Mears "Jason Voorhees" costume from Friday the 13th ($20,000-$30,000) and Adam West's TV screen-used Batman tunic, tights, and briefs worn in Batman ($15,000-$20,000).
 |
