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KATHARINE HEPBURN

Currency:USD Category:Memorabilia Start Price:500.00 USD Estimated At:1,000.00 - 1,500.00 USD
KATHARINE HEPBURN
Hepburn's signed copy of "Gone With the Wind". She would lose the role as "Scarlet", as Selznick labeled her "hated by the public at the time" and "lacked the sex qualities".

(1909 - 2003) American actress and Academy Award winner who was perfect playing opposite co-star Spencer Tracy. Important signed book, Hepburn's copy of Margaret Mitchell's classic novel Gone With the Wind (New York: The MacMillan Co., 1936), Sept., 1936, bearing her rare, carefully-penned full ownership signature on the front flyleaf: "Katharine Houghton Hepburn Hartford November 1936". Spine chipped at top and bottom, cover bears some wear and a few minor stains, spine quite loose yet signed page and interior remain very good; clearly a much-read book. Hepburn and Gone With the Wind are forever tied. In July, 1936 the film rights were purchased for the unheard-of sum of $50,000 and leading lady Hepburn no doubt purchased and carefully read this book in preparation for a shot at a starring role as Scarlet O'Hara in the massive production. What resulted was perhaps the low point in Hepburn's career: she lost out to a young British actress named Vivien Leigh when Selznick passed on Hepburn because she was "hated by the public at the time" and "lacked the sex qualities". At the same time an exhibitor publication branded her "box office poison". Of course, Hepburn recovered from this major setback and continued in a career that in the views of many far exceeded that of her rival Vivien Leigh. An important piece of Hollywood history!

Estimate: $1,000 - 1,500.

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Part I: Lots 1-979 - September 27th, 2012

Part II: Lots 980-1845 - September 28th, 2012