Hollywood Memorabilia

Auction Details

<p>Profiles in History is pleased to announce our Spring 2002 sale of Hollywood memorabilia. This exceptional offering features a magnificent collection of art and personal momentos from some of Hollywood’s most important costume designers. Direct from the estate of <b>Walter Plunkett</b>, we present a suite of extraordinary design sketches – each beautiful works of art in their own right – from such landmark costume dramas as <i>Little Women</i> and <i>Gone With the Wind</i>, along with perhaps the greatest musical of all time, <i>Singin’ In the Rain</i>. And from the pen of eight-time Academy Award winner <b>Edith Head</b>, we have a fantastic selection of graceful costume sketches with trend-setting designs from <i>A Place in the Sun</i>, <i>Roman Holiday</i>, and <i>Sabrina</i>. We also have a very fine array of costume sketches from Howard Greer, Royer, and Elois Jenssen, many of them appearing at auction for the very first time. Of course, you’ll also find a wonderful sampling of props and set pieces from vintage silent films to today’s mega-budget action flicks.

<p>We hope you’ll discover something special in this latest offering. Thank you for participating, and good luck!
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Vintage Cycon spotlight1 - Vintage Cycon spotlight
Profiles in History Old
Fully-working swivel-mount Cycon spotlight, having a black metal frame and original glass lens. Measures 9 in. tall x 6 in. diameter x 6 in. deep.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
 
 
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Rare vintage "hot set" light2 - Rare vintage "hot set" light
Profiles in History Old
Vintage red light used to indicate a "hot" or "shooting" set, warning all passersby to keep as quiet as possible. The red and w...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 - 1,500.00
 
 
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Original "Birth of a Nation" costume pieces3 - Original "Birth of a Nation" costume pieces
Profiles in History Old
(D.W. Griffith, 1915) Metal bayonet with leather fitting and metal "U.S." emblem. Accompanied with a canvas and leather Union backpack,...
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Estimate : 800.00 - 1,000.00
 
 
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Vintage silent film projector4 - Vintage silent film projector
Profiles in History Old
Dating from 1909, this handcranked theater projector is a relic from the very earliest, exciting days of m0tion pictures, when stars such as Mabel Nor
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Estimate : 6,000.00 - 8,000.00
 
 
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Collection of 75 vintage postcard photographs of silent film stars5 - Collection of 75 vintage postcard photographs of silent film stars
Profiles in History Old
Black and white postcard photographs, each 3 1/2 in. x 5 1/2 in., of the following silent screen stars: Rudolph Valentino, Norma Talmadge, Ramon Nova
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 800.00 - 1,000.00
 
 
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"Boxers Entrance" sign used in numerous Charlie Chaplin films6 - "Boxers Entrance" sign used in numerous Charlie Chaplin films
Profiles in History Old
Wooden sign painted white with brown lettering. Believed to have been used in "City Lights", and possibly "The Champion" and &q...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
 
 
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Screen-used gear from Charlie Chaplin's "Modern Times"7 - Screen-used gear from Charlie Chaplin's "Modern Times"
Profiles in History Old
(UA, 1936) Black painted wooden mechanical gear, used in the famous "factory" scene when Chaplin gets caught in the machine! Measures ap...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 - 1,500.00
 
 
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Tom Murray snow shoes from the Charlie Chaplin film "The Gold Rush"8 - Tom Murray snow shoes from the Charlie Chaplin film "The Gold Rush"
Profiles in History Old
(UA, 1925) Pair of vintage snowshoes constructed of wood with leather and sinew lacing. Worn by Murray in character as "Black Larsen". ...
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Estimate : 1,500.00 - 2,500.00
 
 
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Mary Pickford personal necklace and accompanying signed note9 - Mary Pickford personal necklace and accompanying signed note
Profiles in History Old
A fantastic vintage art deco choker of red "honeycomb" beads with rhinestones (one missing). Comes with a note card on Pickford's per...
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Estimate : 800.00 - 1,200.00
 
 
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Jailer's key from "The Thief of Baghdad"10 - Jailer's key from "The Thief of Baghdad"
Profiles in History Old
(UA, 1924) Large brass key used on-screen by the jailer. Measures 13 in. long. Would make an excellent desk or coffee table accoutrement.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
 
 
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"The Thief of Bagdad" curved knife11 - "The Thief of Bagdad" curved knife
Profiles in History Old
(UA, 1924) Metal knife with angular tip and leather-wrapped handle with metal flower accents, and matching scabbard. Seen in the beginning of the fi
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 500.00 - 700.00
 
 
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MGM "Parade of Hits" promotional campaign book c.  192712 - MGM "Parade of Hits" promotional campaign book c. 1927
Profiles in History Old
Promotional book intended for theatre owners. Contains bios of executives, along with MGMs host of stars, including Lillian Gish ("Star of Sta...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
 
 
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Palace guard spear from "Romeo & Juliet"13 - Palace guard spear from "Romeo & Juliet"
Profiles in History Old
(MGM, 1936) Long wooden spear painted black with metal head painted silver. Measures 7 ft. 7 in.
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Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
 
 
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"Joan of Arc" battle flag14 - "Joan of Arc" battle flag
Profiles in History Old
(RKO, 1948) Cross of St. George battle flag used in a combat sequence. Measures 4 ft. x 6 ft.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
 
 
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Palace guard spear from "Joan of Arc"15 - Palace guard spear from "Joan of Arc"
Profiles in History Old
(RKO, 1948) Long wooden spear with metal head, painted black and silver. Measures 9 ft. 3 in.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
 
 
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Battle axe from "Joan of Arc"16 - Battle axe from "Joan of Arc"
Profiles in History Old
(RKO, 1948) Small metal hand held axe, constructed of pipe with a metal ax head. Measures approx. 21 in. long.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
 
 
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"Tower of London" prop dagger17 - "Tower of London" prop dagger
Profiles in History Old
(Universal, 1939) From the film starring Boris Karloff and Vincent Price, one piece solid metal dagger/sheath with leather strap (broken).
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
 
 
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Tribal shield from the original "King Kong"18 - Tribal shield from the original "King Kong"
Profiles in History Old
(RKO, 1935) Papier-mâché shield with geometric tribal design in yellow and rust on the front. Approx. 4 feet tall, with burlap handle mo...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 2,000.00 - 3,000.00
 
 
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"Beau Geste" child's foreground sword19 - "Beau Geste" child's foreground sword
Profiles in History Old
(Paramount, 1939) Steel plated sword with ornate hand guard and accompanying scabbard. Blade is screwed into the scabbard to prevent its release.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
 
 
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"The Adventures of Robin Hood" horn20 - "The Adventures of Robin Hood" horn
Profiles in History Old
(Warner Bros., 1938) Long metal musical horn, approx. 48 in. long. Some dings and discoloration; otherwise, in good condition.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
 
 
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Henry Fonda sword from "Fort Apache"21 - Henry Fonda sword from "Fort Apache"
Profiles in History Old
(RKO, 1948) Steel sword with gold knuckle guard and leather-wrapped handle, and matching scabbard, used by Fonda as "Lt. Col. Owen Thursday&qu...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 500.00 - 700.00
 
 
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Jose Ferrer knee shoes from "Moulin Rouge"22 - Jose Ferrer knee shoes from "Moulin Rouge"
Profiles in History Old
(UA, 1952) Black wingtips modified to reduce the height of Jose Ferrer ("Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec") by 2 feet! Heavily padded and secur...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 2,000.00 - 3,000.00
 
 
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Jose Ferrer cane from "Moulin Rouge"23 - Jose Ferrer cane from "Moulin Rouge"
Profiles in History Old
(UA, 1952) Wooden cane, measuring 21 in. long. Exhibits cracking in paint from age, and end cap is missing; otherwise in good condition.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
 
 
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Mae West stage-worn gown24 - Mae West stage-worn gown
Profiles in History Old
Off-white lavish 1950s tulle ball gown heavily trimmed in gold sequins. Some tears to shear chest material (easily repaired).
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 800.00 - 1,000.00
 
 
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Mae West stage-worn fur-trimmed cloak25 - Mae West stage-worn fur-trimmed cloak
Profiles in History Old
Sleeveless white satin fox-trimmed cloak. A signature Mae West garment!
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 - 2,000.00
 
 
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Alan Marshal period coat and knickers from "The Howards of Virginia"26 - Alan Marshal period coat and knickers from "The Howards of Virginia"
Profiles in History Old
(Columbia, 1940) Designed by Saltern. Tan brocade button-front frock coat with rust wool knickers, each having costumer's label typed "Al...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 600.00 - 800.00
 
 
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Mary Nash dress from "The Little Princess"27 - Mary Nash dress from "The Little Princess"
Profiles in History Old
(TCF, 1939) Designed by Gwen Wakeling. Charcoal gray wool “school marm” dress with black soutache trim on shoulders, stand-up collar, cuffs & ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
 
 
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Jeanette MacDonald nightgown from "One Hour With You"28 - Jeanette MacDonald nightgown from "One Hour With You"
Profiles in History Old
(Paramount, 1932) Designed by Travis Banton. Periwinkle satin spaghetti-strap nightgown with inserts (small stain on the back). Worn by MacDonald i
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 600.00 - 800.00
 
 
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Screen-worn Errol Flynn period costume from "The Adventures of Don Juan"29 - Screen-worn Errol Flynn period costume from "The Adventures of Don Juan"
Profiles in History Old
(Warner Bros., 1949) Designed by Travilla. Burgundy wool and satin tunic with gray braid, pair of burgundy tights, silver metal and red velvet belt,
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 8,000.00 - 10,000.00
 
 
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Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce signed photograph from "Sherlock Holmes"30 - Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce signed photograph from "Sherlock Holmes"
Profiles in History Old
8 in. x 10 in. sepia-tone photograph of the two actors in character, boldly signed by each. Some emulsion tears to top edge, affecting only part of R
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 600.00 - 800.00
 
 
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Bela Lugosi and cast signed photograph from "Chandu the Magician"31 - Bela Lugosi and cast signed photograph from "Chandu the Magician"
Profiles in History Old
Vintage photograph signed by the cast members of "Chandu the Magician" (1932), a film in which a spiritualist (Chandu) battles a madman (L...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 6,000.00 - 8,000.00
 
 
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Irving Thalberg and Edmund Goulding signed document32 - Irving Thalberg and Edmund Goulding signed document
Profiles in History Old
Two page document on MGM letterhead dated August 10, 1932, releasing Edmund Goulding from the studio for a one year sabbatical. Signed "Irving...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 600.00 - 800.00
 
 
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Louis B.  Mayer signed document regarding Busby Berkeley33 - Louis B. Mayer signed document regarding Busby Berkeley
Profiles in History Old
One page document on MGM stationery dated March 30, 1949, regarding a tax payment of $6,500 to be made by Berkeley to the studio. Signed at the close
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 500.00 - 700.00
 
 
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Louis B.  Mayer signed document regarding William Wellman34 - Louis B. Mayer signed document regarding William Wellman
Profiles in History Old
Two page document dated March 28, 1933, being a contract between director William Wellman and the studio, establishing salary and term of service, etc
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
 
 
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Ben Turpin signed check35 - Ben Turpin signed check
Profiles in History Old
Bank check dated May 14, 1921, in the amount $150 payable to the Central Hardware Co. Signed boldly at the lower right.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
 
 
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Harold Lloyd vintage signed photo36 - Harold Lloyd vintage signed photo
Profiles in History Old
8 in. x 10 in. b/w head and shoulders portrait of Lloyd, inscribed on the image in black ink "To Phil Schuler With all best wishes for your fut...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
 
 
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Vintage "Western Hall of Fame" program signed by William Boyd, Roy Rogers Dale Evans and many others37 - Vintage "Western Hall of Fame" program signed by William Boyd, Roy Rogers Dale Evans and many others
Profiles in History Old
Vintage program for the first annual "Hoss Opera", November 28, 1948, signed on the cover by Red Rowe, with additional signatures on the i...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
 
 
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Vintage William Boyd signed photo inscribed to William Randolph Hearst38 - Vintage William Boyd signed photo inscribed to William Randolph Hearst
Profiles in History Old
8 in. x 10 in. sepia-tone head and shoulders photograph of Boyd shot with a soft filter, lightly inscribed on the image in green ink "My very b...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 250.00 - 350.00
 
 
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Jimmy Durante vintage photograph collection39 - Jimmy Durante vintage photograph collection
Profiles in History Old
B/w 8 in. x 10 in. to 11 in. x 14 in. vintage photographs, nine total; five of Durante and four inscribed to him, including Gary Cooper, Claudette Col
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 300.00 - 500.00
 
 
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Quartet of costumes from 'The Prince and the Pauper"40 - Quartet of costumes from 'The Prince and the Pauper"
Profiles in History Old
(Warner Bros., 1937) Designed by Milo Anderson. This ensemble consists of four costumes: the first is a beautiful teal blue period coat ornamented
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 3,000.00 - 5,000.00
 
 
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Katharine Hepburn handwritten letter to costume designer Noel Taylor41 - Katharine Hepburn handwritten letter to costume designer Noel Taylor
Profiles in History Old
One page letter written on yellow legal stationery, "Noel - You are really a sweet creature to be so enthusiastic about me - And as I'm so ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 600.00 - 800.00
 
 
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Noel Taylor costume sketch of Katharine Hepburn for "Laura Lansing Slept Here" (brown coat)42 - Noel Taylor costume sketch of Katharine Hepburn for "Laura Lansing Slept Here" (brown coat)
Profiles in History Old
(TV Film, 1988) Sketch of Hepburn in the title role, wearing a brown fur-trimmed coat with matching hat. Accomplished in watercolor on an 11 1/2 in.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 500.00 - 700.00
 
 
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Noel Taylor costume sketch of Katharine Hepburn for "This Can't Be Love"43 - Noel Taylor costume sketch of Katharine Hepburn for "This Can't Be Love"
Profiles in History Old
(TV Film, 1994) Sketch of Katharine Hepburn as "Marion Bennett" wearing a black period evening dress with dark red wrap. Worn for a larg...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 500.00 - 700.00
 
 
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Katharine Hepburn black dress from "This Can't Be Love"44 - Katharine Hepburn black dress from "This Can't Be Love"
Profiles in History Old
(TV Film, 1994) Long black longsleeve frock dress with white collar. Worn for a large portion of the film, and during the scene where she first disc
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,000.00 - 1,500.00
 
 
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Katharine Hepburn makeup robe from "This Can't Be Love"45 - Katharine Hepburn makeup robe from "This Can't Be Love"
Profiles in History Old
(TV Film, 1994) Pink makeup robe with white silhouette embroidery. Worn in the scene where Hepburn is dressing for the dinner with her once actor an
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 800.00 - 1,200.00
 
 
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Noel Taylor costume sketch of Katharine Hepburn for "Mrs. Delafield Wants to Marry"46 - Noel Taylor costume sketch of Katharine Hepburn for "Mrs. Delafield Wants to Marry"
Profiles in History Old
(TV Film, 1986) Sketch of Katharine Hepburn as "Margaret Delafield" wearing a pale pink opera dress. Accomplished in ink and watercolor ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 500.00 - 700.00
 
 
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Noel Taylor costume sketch of Glynis Johns for "A Little Night Music"47 - Noel Taylor costume sketch of Glynis Johns for "A Little Night Music"
Profiles in History Old
Sketch of Glynis Johns in character for this Broadway production of "A Little Night Music", wearing a period gown with three low-handing n...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
 
 
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Noel Taylor costume sketch of Julie Harris for "The Glass Menagerie"48 - Noel Taylor costume sketch of Julie Harris for "The Glass Menagerie"
Profiles in History Old
Sketch of Julie Harris as "Amanda" for this Broadway production of "The Glass Menagerie", wearing a loose-fitting ankle-length g...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
 
 
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Noel Taylor costume sketch of Lynn Fontanne for "The Magnificent Yankee"49 - Noel Taylor costume sketch of Lynn Fontanne for "The Magnificent Yankee"
Profiles in History Old
(TV Film, 1965) Sketch of Fontanne as "Fanny Holmes" wearing a period fur-trimmed red evening dress. Accomplished in ink and watercolor ...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
 
 
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Katharine Hepburn hat for "Laura Lansing Slept Here" designed by Noel Taylor50 - Katharine Hepburn hat for "Laura Lansing Slept Here" designed by Noel Taylor
Profiles in History Old
(TV Film, 1988) Black wool wide-brimmed flop hat, worn by Hepburn in the title role.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 1,500.00 - 2,000.00
 
 
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