On the Auction Block, November 23
TCM has paired with Bonhams again for another classic-film themed auction, this time called “Treasures from the Dream Factory.” Everything is up for grabs on November 23.
There are a few Clark Gable items; some of them I know I have seen sold at auction before, either on Ebay or in the 1996 Estate Auction.
Clark’s personal bound screenplay for “The Hucksters.” (est. $3,000-$5,000)
Clark Gable bound screenplay of The Hucksters
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1947. Mimeographed manuscript, screenplay by Luther Davis, 135 pp, November 15, 1946 (with revision pages as late as April 2, 1947), housed in yellow Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer wrappers, with Script Department label to upper front cover, stamped “Complete,” with Script Department checkout notes to verso of cover, bound in calfskin with the film’s title gilt to upper cover and spine, “Clark Gable” to lower right, with eight 8 x 10 in. stills laid down to insert pages, and two loose vintage magazine clippings related to the film. In The Hucksters, Gable stars as an advertising man readjusting to post-War American life and fighting to keep his integrity. It costars Deborah Kerr, Ava Gardner, and Sydney Greenstreet.
A Clark Gable-worn collar from Gone with the Wind (est. $2,500-$3,500)
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1939. A stiff white cotton collar with a label from tailor J.T. Beach, Los Angeles, inscribed in black ink, “Gable 20-108 M-124.” Together with two black and white stills of Gable and Vivien Leigh in Gone with the Wind.
Group of Three Clark Gable Membership Cards (est. $2,000-$3,000)
Comprising an American Federation of Television and Radio Artists membership card, paid to May 1, 1960; a Screen Actors Guild membership card, dated November 13, 1959; and an Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences membership card for 1960, all displayed in acrylic cases. Gable died on November 16, 1960, so these were likely his last membership cards from these entertainment industry institutions.
Clark Gable-Gifted miniature Pen Knife/Corkscrew (est. $2,000-$3,000)
Gilt metal, engraved on one side, “R.L.,” and on the other side, “Xmas 58 / The Gables.” Accompanied by a photograph of Clark Gable.
Length: 2 in.
Length: 2 in.
Wonder who “R.L” was?
Al Hirschfeld Drawing of Clark Gable in Gone with the Wind (est. $3,000-$4,000)
Ink on paper, signed (“Hirschfeld”) at lower right corner, matted and framed. Depicting Gable as Rhett Butler, with cigar in hand.
Overall: 26 3/4 x 29 1/2 in.; within mat: 16 1/2 x 19 1/4 in.
Overall: 26 3/4 x 29 1/2 in.; within mat: 16 1/2 x 19 1/4 in.
Clark Gable’s Last Agent Contract (est. $900-$1,200)
Document signed (“Clark Gable”), MCA Artists, Ltd., 1 p, March 7, 1958, also signed by agent George Chasin, and additionally initialed by Gable and Chasin. Together with a portrait photograph and a program on an AMPAS exhibit of Engstead’s photographs picturing Gable. This is Gable’s final three-year renewal contract with MCA agent George Chasin, whom Gable credited with making his film career more financially successful than ever before.
Document: 10 1/2 x 17 in.
Document: 10 1/2 x 17 in.
Clark Gable Signed Legal Document Concerning Carole Lombard
(est. $900-$1,200)
Document Signed (“Clark Gable”) on verso of creditor’s claim of the Superior Court of Los Angeles, partially printed and accomplished in manuscript, 1 p, February 26, 1942. Together with a small vintage photograph of Gable mounted on construction paper, and a later reprint photograph of Gable and Lombard.
Actress Carole Lombard, Clark Gable’s beloved wife, died in a plane crash on January 16, 1942; it was a devastating blow for Gable. This claim was presented to Gable, acting as executor of Lombard’s estate, by florist Delmar Mote for a bill of $420.76.
Actress Carole Lombard, Clark Gable’s beloved wife, died in a plane crash on January 16, 1942; it was a devastating blow for Gable. This claim was presented to Gable, acting as executor of Lombard’s estate, by florist Delmar Mote for a bill of $420.76.
There are many interesting items for classic film fans: one of the infamous blue dresses worn by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz (estimated to fetch $800,00-$1.2 million!), George Cukor’s shooting script for A Star is Born, Marilyn Monroe’s suit from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Lana Turner’s nightgown from Honky Tonk, Rex Harrison’s coat from Doctor Dolittle, Sophia Loren’s wedding dress from Houseboat, Frank Capra’s Golden Globe for It’s a Wonderful Life, Norma Shearer’s personally owned script of Romeo and Juliet signed by the entire cast, a signed photograph of Rudolph Valentino, a golden ticket from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Charlie Chaplin’s working script for Limelight, original World War I photographs of Walt Disney, lots of original Disney drawings and celluloids, and three gorgeous never-before-seen original pictures of Vivien Leigh in Gone with the Wind. If you know a Natalie Wood fan, let them know as it contains many of her personal items: Her Golden Globes, high school diploma, Certificate of Nomination for an Academy Award, bound screenplays, passports, jewelry, and personal photographs and correspondence. There is much, much more!
If you have deeper pockets than me, head on over to Bonhams on November 23, starting at 10:00am!
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3 Comments
Kimberly
Great!
Peggy Hill
If I had the money the blue Wizard of Oz Dress would go to my Daughter. I give all the new baby girls in my family copies of The Wizard of Oz. When they grow up they’re introduced to Clark Gable. Thank you once again to the wonderful information you pass on to us!
Linda
I wonder why she had such a huge florist bill. This is 1941-42 and $400+ is a huge amount.