Profiles in History the world’s largest auctioneer of Hollywood memorabilia has sent a press release highlighting some very special one of a kind items being auctioned in their ‘DEBBIE REYNOLDS – THE AUCTION FINALE’ being held May 17th and 18th, at the Debbie Reynolds Dance Studio, located at 6514 Lankershim Blvd. – North Hollywood, CA 91606 – 818.985.3193. Interested bidders can bid in person, by phone, and by internet using Invaluable (the lots can be viewed at their site HERE). The entire auction catalog can be purchased in two versions. A softcover edition for $39.95 , and a limited edition hardcover edition signed by Debbie Reynolds herself for $200. Register to Bid HERE. View the free online Flipbook HERE. Download the free PDF catalog HERE.
The two day auction includes close to 900 lots and features rare, one of kind original props, costumes, art, and ephemera from historic Hollywood films, including items from Star Wars, Mary Poppins, Tron, and others. Fans can bid on items from stars Debbie Reynolds, Charlie Chaplin, Laurel and Hardy, Mae West, Elvis Presley, Shirley Maclaine, Harpo Marx, Jean Harlow, Vivien Leigh, Henry Fonda, and many more beloved Hollywood stars and films.
Debbie Reynolds is one of the most recognizable and talented performers in the entertainment industry and has spent many years archiving and saving the history of Hollywood’s most important artifacts. This auction is literally the finale of her culmination of all of the hard work and effort she put into her lifelong passion of preserving Hollywood’s vast history. This is it folks.
Auction highlights include the Disney Studio VistaVision Motion Picture Camera used to film Mary Poppins, Tron, and other films in the 1980s. The camera was use for the special effects shot done on Star Wars (1977).
The auction pre-sale estimate for the camera is $60,000 – $80,000.
Here is the entire press release, as well as a bonus video of Debbie with Mario Lopez from ExtraTV discussing the auction.
For Immediate Release
Numerous One-of-a-Kind Star Wars Items, Including the Movie Camera Used For the First Film’s Special Effects Among the 900 Lots of Hollywood Treasures to be Offered at PROFILES IN HISTORY’S ‘DEBBIE REYNOLDS – THE AUCTION FINALE’ MAY 17-18, 2014
Calabasas, CA-Numerous one-of-a kinds items from the Star Wars film franchise will be featured in PROFILES IN HISTORY’S ‘DEBBIE REYNOLDS – THE AUCTION FINALE’ MAY 17-18, 2014. Included among the highlighted items is the special effects movie camera used to shoot Star Wars and many other classic films; rare, candid photos of the cast; signed movie posters; a signed Star Wars program; a Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back artist signed lithograph and a “Princess Leia” riding “Dewback” on Tatooine original pen & ink sketch for a Topps trading card. Details of these items as well as previously announced auction highlights are below.
The live auction will take place at the Debbie Reynolds Dance Studio in North Hollywood, CA. Auction previews will be held there in advance of the sale as well. Bidders can participate in person, by telephone, submit absentee bids or participate online in real time from anywhere with Internet access across the globe.
Details of the Star Wars-Related Items:
Disney Studio’s VistaVision Motion Picture Camera Used to Film Mary Poppins, Tron and Other Features Through the 1980s and Borrowed for Use on Star Wars. This was Disney’s only VistaVision camera and was used for visual effects composite shots on Mary Poppins (1964), Tron (1982) and other Disney films throughout the 1980s. Academy Award-winning visual effects genius Richard Edlund of Industrial Light & Magic borrowed this camera for use in creating the effects shots on Star Wars (1977).
Auction Pre-sale Estimate: $60,000 – $80,000
(20) Personal out-take photos from Star Wars films. (TCF, 1977-1983) Vintage gelatin-silver glossy approx. 8 x 10 in. custom prints (20) of Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Treat Williams and others, taken between scenes on the set of Star Wars films and other locations. Photos include cast members attending a Star Wars themed polo match, a photo of the principal cast in street clothes (signed to Debbie Reynolds by David Prowse) and a color publicity portrait of Darth Vader signed by David Prowse among others.
Auction Pre-sale Estimate: $200 – $300
Star Wars program plus a rare candid photo of Carrie Fisher with “Chewbacca”. (TCF, 1977) A Star Wars premiere program (20pp, Tom Jung cover art); gelatin silver 9.5 x 12 in. print of Carrie Fisher on the shoulder of Peter Mayhew/ Chewbacca (in street clothes) stamped on back “Tieleman van Rijnberk”.
Auction Pre-sale Estimate: $200 – $300
Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back advance 1-sheet poster signed by Carrie Fisher. (TCF, 1980) U.S. 27 x 41 in. ‘advance’ 1-sheet poster for Star Wars: Episode V- The Empire Strikes Back from the collection of Debbie Reynolds, Carrie Fisher’s mother, and signed by Fisher in silver sharpie.
Auction Pre-sale Estimate: $400 – $600
Collection of (3) Star Wars posters signed by Carrie Fisher. (TCF, 1980-1987) U.S. 27 x 41 in. 1-sheet posters for the first three films in the Star Wars franchise, including the ten-year anniversary silver and black mylar foil Star Wars: Episode IV- A New Hope; style ‘B’ for Star Wars: Episode V- The Empire Strikes Back, and Star Wars: Episode VI- Return of the Jedi all from the collection of Debbie Reynolds, Carrie Fisher’s mother, and signed by Carrie Fisher in silver sharpie.
Auction Pre-sale Estimate: $600 – $800
Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back artist signed lithograph. (ca. 1980) Star Wars fan and artist Jim Leonard signed & numbered limited-edition print (#31/100) of some of the more fantastic characters in Star Wars: Episode V- The Empire Strikes Back. 23 x 29 in., mounted in 30 x 40 in. triple presentation mat.
Auction Pre-sale Estimate: $200 – $300
“Princess Leia” riding “Dewback” on Tatooine original pen & ink sketch for Topps trading card. (1993) Original pencil and pen & ink sketch on 13.75 x 18.75 in. illustration paper (trimmed down from 22 x 30 in. sheet size for publication) by famed fantasy artist Esteban Maroto (Creepy, Eerie, Vampirella, Amethyst, etc.) for 1993 Topps trading cards Star Wars Galaxy: Series I, of Carrie Fisher as “Princess Leia” in her absolute sexiest incarnation, triumphantly riding atop a Dewback creature on the planet Tatooine. Set into 17 x 21 in. white archival double mat,
Auction Pre-sale Estimate: $600 – $800
Other Previously Announced Auction Highlights Include:
Pair of Elaborate Diamond Ear Pendants Gifted to Debbie Reynolds By Her Second Husband, Harry Karl. In 1960, Debbie Reynolds married shoe millionaire Harry Karl, who was known to spend lavishly on jewelry. These exquisite ear pendants suspend 2 exceptional pear-shaped diamonds, of D-E color (colorless grade) and VS1-VS2 clarity, with total approximate weight of 8.07 carats, mounted in platinum with 12 marquise-cut diamonds totaling approximately 10.43 carats, and 2 round brilliant-cut diamonds totaling approximately 1.25 carats. Gifted to Debbie Reynolds ca. 1960, these stunning ear pendants were worn by Debbie at numerous Academy Award ceremonies and when she met President Kennedy. Truly fit for Hollywood royalty.
Auction Pre-sale Estimate: $250,000 – $350,000
The Famous Debbie Reynolds Touring Pair of Ruby Slippers From The Wizard of Oz! These slippers were on permanent display at the Debbie Reynolds Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas (The Hollywood Motion Picture Museum) and were exhibited next to her famous Arabian-pattern Ruby Slippers from 1994 to 1998. The slippers are a faithful recreation by Western Costume Company, who made the original Ruby Slippers for The Wizard of Oz. They are red sequined, 2-inch heel pumps with red bugle beads and round and rectangle faceted stones accenting the bow. The slippers are lined in yellow kid leather, each featuring a “Western Costume Co. Hollywood” label typewritten “Judy Garland” and “Wizard of Oz”. Western Costume Company created these replica slippers in 1989 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the film’s release. Originally sold for $5,000 per pair, these shoes were hand-made to the exacting standards of the originals, from the same patterns, and a very limited number were created. In November of 2013, one of the 15 replica pairs sold at auction for $35,000.
Auction Pre-sale Estimate: $30,000 – $50,000
Signature Orson Welles’ “Kane” Mink Coat From Citizen Kane. (RKO, 1941)
One of the greatest American films of the 20th Century, Citizen Kane was nominated for eight Academy Awards and earned Orson Welles an Oscar for “Best Writing, Original Screenplay”. Welles was just 25 years old when he directed, co-wrote and starred as “Kane” in his very first feature film. Under the costume supervision of Edward Stevenson, this mink coat served as a symbol of the wealth and position of the character in the film. It is a significant piece of movie history from one of the most celebrated and acclaimed films of all time!
Auction Pre-sale Estimate: $40,000 – $60,000
Elvis Presley’s Grand Piano From His Holmby Hills, California Mansion. Vintage Baldwin brand walnut grand piano with double-column pillar legs. Includes piano bench. Baldwin has been a leading manufacturer of pianos since 1895. Measuring 72 x 38.5 x 57.5 in., this grand piano was present in Elvis’ two-acre Holmby Hills home located at 144 Monovale Drive, which he and Priscilla Presley purchased in December of 1970.
Auction Pre-sale Estimate: $12,000 – $15,000
Elvis Presley’s Pool Table From His Holmby Hills, California Mansion. (ca. 1970) Vintage carved wood, green-felted pool table. This pool table features carved wooden frame and ornate claw-foot legs, clean green felt, crisp rails and bumpers and dark rust-colored fringe-tasseled brown leather corner cups. No manufacturer’s mark present. Measuring 101 x 31 x 56 in., this pool table was present in Elvis’ two-acre Holmby Hills home located at 144 Monovale Drive, which he and Priscilla Presley purchased in December of 1970.
Auction Pre-sale Estimate: $6,000 – $8,000
Elvis Presley’s Soda Fountain From His Holmby Hills, California Mansion. (ca. 1960s-1970s) Vintage soda fountain manufactured by Anderson & Wagner, Inc., Los Angeles. This commercial soda fountain is constructed of stainless steel with (1) sink, (2) ice cream freezers, (2) drink dispenser taps, (3) flavor dispenser canisters, and (3) pump syrup dispensers. Measuring 41.5 x 30 x 42 in., this soda fountain was present in Elvis’ two-acre Holmby Hills home located at 144 Monovale Drive, which he and Priscilla Presley purchased in December of 1970.
Auction Pre-sale Estimate: $2,000 – $3,000
Charlie Chaplin Signature Bowler Hat. Signature black felt bowler hat with black ribbed satin band with two self-material buttons and two vent buttons. Gifted by Charlie Chaplin to the Hollywood Heritage Museum and acquired by Robert W. Nudelman for the Debbie Reynolds’ collection.
Auction Pre-sale Estimate: $20,000 – $30,000
Historic “The Rat Pack” Tuxedo Ensemble: Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Joey Bishop and Peter Lawford. Exceptional suite of (5) tuxedo ensembles representing the principal members of the Las Vegas “Rat Pack”, namely Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Joey Bishop and Peter Lawford. Debbie Reynolds was very close friends with the members of the Rat Pack and she directly obtained these personally-worn tuxedos from each of them; the only exception being the Lawford ensemble – a tailcoat and matching pants from his screen role in Mrs. Parkington – obtained at the famous MGM auction. Each of the other four ensembles consists of tuxedo jacket and pants, and white shirt (except Davis’ which is dark pink). Some of the ensembles include accessories like vests, cufflinks, bowtie, etc. Martin, Davis, Sinatra and Bishop groupings include shoes (Bishop has signed both soles). Lawford’s tail-suit contains original MGM labels marked for him. This is a prized grouping from Ms. Reynolds’ collection, representing a cornerstone of her Las Vegas museum.
Auction Pre-sale Estimate: $20,000 – $30,000
Panavision PSR-148 35mm Camera Used on The Exorcist, The French Connection and Other Classic Films. (ca. 1950s-1980s) The Panavision PSR-148 was one of the original Panavision cameras. The PSR (Panavision Silent Reflex) was a remarkable camera in that it took the Mitchell technology and upgraded it to the highest technological possibilities available. This PSR had photographed hundreds of motion pictures in its original configuration as a Mitchell BNC owned by Metro Goldwyn Mayer. After Panavision partnered with MGM in the development of large format technologies for Raintree County and Ben Hur, Robert Gottschalk (president of Panavision) convinced MGM that he could develop a smaller camera to house the heavy equipment. Gottschalk began purchasing as many Mitchell cameras as possible, gutting the bodies so that the desirable movement could become the benchmark for their new, much smaller, lighter, and quieter camera. This is how Mitchell camera #251 came into Panavision’s machine shop where it was redesigned into the beautiful new PSR-148. Although records are difficult to track, interviews with cinematographers and camera assistants have discovered that PSR-148 was the “Master Camera” on Warner Bros. The Exorcist (1973), The French Connection (1971), The Gang That Couldn’t Shoot Straight (1971), Play It Again Sam (1972) and The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974). One of only a handful of privately-owned Panavision cameras in the world. Profiles in History sold Panavision PSR-153 used to film Star Wars in ‘Debbie Reynolds The Auction Part II’ for an astounding $624,000, which was in a similar configuration as the example here offered. In production-used, operational condition.
Auction Pre-sale Estimate: $100,000 – $150,000
Historic Mitchell NC Standard #257 35mm Camera Used to Shoot Dracula, Frankenstein, Pinocchio, Fantasia, and Effects for Star Trek: The Original Series. (ca. 1920s-1930s) This historic Mitchell NC Standard #257 camera has an incredible lineage. According to Mitchell Camera Corporation records, camera #257 was originally purchased by Universal Studios in 1929 and was used to film All Quiet on the Western Front (1930), Dracula (1931), Frankenstein (1931) and for special photographic effects for the re-release of 1925’s Phantom of the Opera. The camera remained in service at Universal until 1939 when Technicolor purchased the camera and rented it to the Disney Studio from 1939-1945. Some of Disney’s greatest works passed through this camera, including Pinocchio, Fantasia, Bambi and Dumbo. Technicolor loaned #257 to RKO Pictures Optical Effects Department for special photographic effects projects. It was there when multiple Academy Award-winning visual effects pioneer, Linwood Dunn, ASC, became familiar with what he considered one of the finest Mitchell cameras ever built. When Dunn left RKO in 1961 to start his own company, Film Effects of Hollywood, he rented Mitchell #257 and shot effects shots on West Side Story, It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World and virtually any prestige production needing special optical effects, including Star Trek: The Original Series.
Auction Pre-sale Estimate: $40,000 – $60,000
Vivien Leigh “Scarlett O’Hara” Pale Peach “New Bonnet” Hat Designed by Walter Plunkett from Gone With the Wind. (MGM, 1939) Petite very pale peach hat with ivory chiffon overlay and grey metal hat pin accented with large faux pearls and ivory chiffon tie. Designed by Walter Plunkett. Worn by Vivien Leigh as “Scarlett O’Hara” when she visits Ashley (Leslie Howard) at the mill with her “New Bonnet” in Gone With the Wind. Obtained by Debbie Reynolds directly from the Selznick family.
Auction Pre-sale Estimate: $20,000 – $30,000
Grace Kelly “Linda Nordley” Safari Outfit Designed by Helen Rose From Mogambo. Worn by Grace Kelly as “Linda Nordley” arriving at the priest’s compound. It was also worn in the final scene of the film as she and her husband board the boat to return home in Mogambo (MGM, 1953).
Auction Pre-sale Estimate: $3,000 – $5,000
Gregory Peck “General Douglas MacArthur” Military Jacket and Shirt from MacArthur. This dark olive wool Eisenhower style jacket with 8th Army Air patch, chest pin, pair of stars on the epaulettes and a pair of U.S. pins on the lapel was worn by Gregory Peck as “General Douglas MacArthur” on television with the Japanese leader and when he is informed of his retirement in MacArthur (Universal, 1977).
Auction Pre-sale Estimate: $800 – $1,200
Harpo Marx Signature Vintage Top Hat and Wig Acquired Directly From Harpo. The vintage 1930’s collapsible pop-open fur and felt top hat with internal attached blonde wig was acquired directly from Harpo Marx, and attributed by him to numerous appearances.
Auction Pre-sale Estimate: $20,000 – $30,000
Ingrid Bergman “Ivy Peterson” Period Dress Designed by Adrian from Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and Later Worn by Angela Lansbury in Gaslight. Worn by Ingrid Bergman as “Ivy Peterson” when she visits Spencer Tracy (as Dr. Jekyll) at his office in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (MGM, 1941). Three years later under the costume supervision of Irene, dark grey pleated material was added to the collar and back bodice for Angela Lansbury’s Oscar-nominated role as “Nancy”, when she is across the street from the house when Charles Boyer is apprehended in Gaslight (MGM, 1944).
Auction Pre-sale Estimate: $4,000 – $6,000
Mae West “Ruby Carter” Black and Ivory Period Dress Designed by Travis Banton for Belle of the Nineties (Paramount, 1934). Worn by Mae West as “Ruby Carter” when she goes to the big fight with Ace Lamont (John Miljan) in Belle of the Nineties.
Auction Pre-sale Estimate: $3,000 – $5,000
Wooden Chest From Quo Vadis, Julius Caesar and Valley of the Kings. Wooden chest with gold-painted metal ornaments and Greek key decorations. Used in Nero’s (Peter Ustinov) bedchamber when he receives the news of Petronius’ (Leo Genn) death in Quo Vadis (MGM, 1951) and in Julius Caesar with Louis Calhern “Julius Caesar” threatening Lana Turner (MGM, 1953) and in the tomb of the Pharaoh with Robert Taylor “Mark Brandon” and Eleanor Parker “Ann Barclay Mercedes” in Valley of the Kings (MGM, 1954).
Auction Pre-sale Estimate: $400 – $600
Extremely Rare Singin’ in the Rain Three Sheet Poster (MGM, 1952). Widely considered the most attractive poster for one of the best Hollywood musicals of all time, as well as the most beloved and respected title in Debbie Reynolds’ extensive film repertoire. This exceptionally well-preserved and complete oversize poster is, to our knowledge, the only known complete original in this format to be publicly offered for sale, as only a single incomplete version shows in auction records as changing hands some years ago. This is quite possibly the only opportunity in the conceivable future to own one of the greatest rarities in vintage film-poster collecting.
Auction Pre-sale Estimate: $3,000 – $5,000
“We are excited to produce our third and final auction for Debbie Reynolds, who spent most of her lifetime amassing the single greatest Hollywood collection in the world. Her first two sales generated a world record $25 million dollars, so it’s nice to see the market appreciate the time and energy Debbie devoted to her collection,” said Joe Maddalena, owner of Profiles in History.
*All photos ©Profiles in History, Movie Prop Collectors, Entertainment Minute, and their respective owners. Article updated to add the Extra video interview.
