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Auction PR Publicity Announcements News and Information

Entertainment Memorabilia On the Auction Block at Bonhams & Butterfields

Featuring film, television and Rock memorabilia on the block Dec. 21

Live from the Sunset Strip, Bonhams & Butterfields, is cueing up for a premier, star-studded line-up of vintage and contemporary film and rock memorabilia from pop culture icons and groundbreaking artists — to be offered to the highest bidders on Sunday, December 21, 2008 in Los Angeles.

Sale highlights include:

A Joan Fontaine personally owned ‘presentation copy’ script from Rebecca The maroon leather-covered volume from the 1940 Alfred Hitchcock classic film Rebecca gifted to Academy Award®-winning actress Joan Fontaine by legendary producer David O. Selznick will be featured during the winter auction. The script was consigned by Ms. Fontaine who has had it since accepting the gift 68 years ago following the completion of the film. The inside front end paper displays a personal inscription from Selznick in black fountain pen ink “For Joan, / This souvenir of a / struggle and a dream. May neither be forgotten / too soon. / Yours with affection – / until the adventure’s sequel, / David” [O. Selznick]. Bonhams & Butterfields expect it will bring $35,000 to $40,000.

A selection of memorabilia from the famous Brown Derby Restaurant in Los Angeles A wonderful selection of memorabilia from the Brown Derby, the landmark celebrity haunt and culinary institution, will also be offered. The celebrated Brown Derby was known not only for its Hollywood clientele, but, constructed in the form of a derby hat, was an example of LA’s novelty architecture. The restaurant was decorated with hundreds of celebrity caricatures and framed images of hunting scenes, and the ”derby”-theme was carried throughout the interior – its brass light fixtures were derby-shaped as were many other pieces of décor. The items have been consigned by Larry Anderson, the grandson of founder Herbert Somborn (and Gloria Swanson, who Somborn married in 1919). Estimates range from $50 to $500.

The Nightmare Before Christmas
From Touchstone Pictures now classic holiday film TheNightmare Before Christmas, 1993, comes the prop of the mayor’s hearse that was rigged to actually move at one time. (est. $3/4,000).

John Lennon and The Beatles
In the Rock ‘n Roll section of the December sale are several collectibles related to legendary musician John Lennon, including a never-publicly-heard cassette recording of him from the fall of 1973 singing the Lloyd Price song ‘Just Because.’ The tape runs approximately six minutes and is expected to bring $30,000-40,000.

A John Lennon and Yoko Ono ‘War is Over!’ banner from 1969 will also be featured. Made of heavy-weight cotton with a burlap border and grommets, black text reads “War / Is / Over / If You Want It / Happy Christmas from John and Yoko.” A friend of the current owner retrieved this banner in 1969 as it was being removed from the side of the Amsterdam Hilton Hotel in New York City (est. $15/20,000).

Competitive bidding is also expected for a selection of lots related to The Beatles. Included in the holiday sale is an archive of ephemera, including the VIP and backstage list from their last concert at Candlestick Park in San Francisco in 1966 (est. $5/7,000) and a set of signatures from the band (est. $2/2,500).

Animation Arts
A selection of Animation Art celebrates the rich tradition of the art form, offered pieces related to Disney, Warner Bros. and Hanna Barbera films and favorite characters. A signed early Charles Schulz Peanuts daily from 1954, depicts the loveable characters Lucy and Charlie Brown (est. $15/20,000). A gouache on celluloid from the 1940 classic Disney film Pinocchio depicts Jiminy Cricket introducing himself to Pinocchio (from the scene when the Blue Fairy has miraculously appeared making the puppet). The cel is applied to a watercolor production background and is inscribed lower right To Harold Williams//with best wishes//Walt Disney, it is expected to bring $6/8,000.

A large collection of vintage film posters, many to be offered without reserve, will include a selection of one-sheets promoting popular films and modern classics.
Los Angeles preview events are scheduled for December 19-20 or by appointment. The illustrated catalog is currently available online for review and purchase at www.bonhams.com/us.