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Emmett Kelly's "Weary Willie" Clown Makeup Kit

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Historical Memorabilia Start Price:25.00 USD
Emmett Kelly's  Weary Willie  Clown Makeup Kit
All bidders are responsible for their own due diligence and inspections of the assets and all Certificates and/or Letters of Authenticity PRIOR to the auction. All bids are placed based on the bidder's sole discretion.
Emmett Kelly's 1950s "Weary Willie" Clown Makeup Kit From The Joe Franklin Memory Lane Collection W/LOA - This wonderful piece of iconic memorabilia is a clown makeup kit which belonged to was an American circus performer and entertainer Emmett Kelly. Kelly gained worldwide fame as the hobo clown "Weary Willie", based on the hobos of the Depression era. He did his first circus work around 1923 for Howe's Great London Circus, followed by the Hagenback-Wallace Circus in 1933. Weary Willie was born at the Hagenback-Wallace circus, and gained notoriety for his revolutionary routine as a tragic figure, as clowns typically wore white face and performed slapstick stunts intended to make people laugh. He instantly became a symbol of hope for those hit hard by the depression, and became a major star, even appearing in films, night clubs, television and the Broadway stage. This clown makeup kit includes a red nose, eye patch, creme face makeup, powder and more, housed in a hard case with an inner mirror. These items were acquired from the collection of Joe Franklin, the legendary American radio and television host personality, author and actor, whose show featured famous guests such as Andy Warhol, Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, Salvador Dali, John Lennon and Yoko Ono, and countless others. Franklin had a love of collecting memorabilia and mementos from his guests, and would ask each guest to leave him a personal item, many of which would oblige. The lot will be accompanied by a letter of authenticity from Franklin, along with an 8" x 10" photograph of Joe Franklin with Kelly.