Dallas, TX – It was Wednesday night, September 26, 1962: CBS gave TV audiences their first look at a new sitcom titled The Beverly Hillbillies. Irene Ryan’s shotgun-aiming Granny, Donna Douglas’ bounteously blonde Elly May, and Max Baer Jr.’s Jethro provided most of the high-spirited slapstick. However, the show’s true star and anchor personality was Buddy Ebsen as Jed Clampett. Ebsen’s “Uncle Jed” had decency, kindness and a wonderfully winning down-home way, and he became the true heart and soul of what became the number one rated-show in America.
It is with great pride that Heritage Auction Galleries celebrates the epic career of Buddy Ebsen, one that began in the ’20s on vaudeville and Broadway, and grew to include roles in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Barnaby Jones, and, of course, The Beverly Hillbillies. Fans and entertainment collectors worldwide will have a chance to bid on this important archive in Dallas-based Heritage Auction Galleries’ upcoming Signature Auction, to be held April 5, 2008.
“Indeed, few actors ever enjoyed so long, rich, and colorful a journeyman career, and Heritage is proud to offer this remarkable treasure-trove of Buddy Ebsen’s memorabilia,” said Doug Norwine, Director of Music and Entertainment Auctions for Heritage.
The collection includes:
The Beverly Hillbillies: Buddy’s signed and annotated scripts, one of his Jed Clampett hats and Jed’s “Sunday Best” costume, his original contract for the pilot, the oil can bass musical instrument Buddy played (sometimes with Flatt and Scruggs, who performed the famed “The Ballad of Jed Clampett”) – even Uncle Jed’s mustache!
Buddy’s prop rifle from ABC’s anthology series Davy Crockett.
Hollywood costumes, including Buddy’s screen-worn hat from Breakfast at Tiffany’s and the tuxedo Buddy wore while dancing with Judy Garland in the “Yours and Mine” number in Broadway Melody of 1938.
Buddy’s signed and annotated Barnaby Jones scripts, as well as his screen-worn suit from the series.
Books, letters, awards, musical instruments, photographs… even a pair of “Tin Man” boots Buddy kept in his garage, and the respirator he used after his near-fatal lung infection on The Wizard of Oz.
“The Buddy Ebsen Estate represents over 75 years of show business history, with something for fans of virtually every venue in the world of entertainment.” Norwine said. “It all resonates with the personality of a genial, dedicated, wondrously versatile professional, whose remarkable collection Heritage is genuinely proud to present.”
More information about this auction, along with enlargeable, full-color images of each lot and complete catalog descriptions, can be found at www.HA.com where bids can also be placed online.