Follow the Debbie Reynolds Hollywood memorabilia auction LIVE, going on now- Page 2

[nygrl232]

Posted: 6/18/11 at 6:02pm

Keep trying, Diva. It took me a couple of times to access the feed. Just give it a bit of time.

So many things are coming in way over estimated value. Debbie must be pleased. But sad to be parting with this collection.

[best12bars]

Posted: 6/18/11 at 6:05pm

That's the way I see it, nygrl232.

I'm sure she's thrilled, relieved, and ultimately very sad. This collection meant so much to her, and she was such an advocate for the preservation of old Hollywood.

Methinks she needs a good bottle of wine (or four) with friends tonight. And yes, she can pick up the tab.

Updated On: 6/18/11 at 06:05 PM

[nygrl232]

Posted: 6/18/11 at 6:12pm

It's got to be really surreal to watch items you spent decades collecting, admiring, storing and maintaining vanish in a single afternoon. I hope Debbie is keeping something for herself and her family. She saw value in things when others threw them into warehouses and dusty crates. She deserves so much credit for her taste and passion.

[best12bars]

Posted: 6/18/11 at 6:13pm

The Sergeant York stuff (Gary Cooper) was nuts! Sold way above estimate. Uniform sold for $55K (valued at 20-30), and his rifle, valued at $3K just sold for 19K.

[best12bars]

Posted: 6/18/11 at 6:16pm

So true, nygrl232!

I saw the full collection at her hotel in Las Vegas about 15 years ago. I'm sure there's more than I'm remembering but the one dress that comes to mind that she's keeping is her own: the red party dress from Unsinkable Molly Brown.

As far as I can tell, she's letting go of everything else, including her Singing in the Rain costumes.

[nygrl232]

Posted: 6/18/11 at 6:16pm

Are you going to try for anything, B12B?

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 6/18/11 at 6:16pm

Carrie Fisher must be calling in and bidding using different voices to drive the costs up.

[best12bars]

Posted: 6/18/11 at 6:18pm

I'm also sad/happy (sorry/grateful?) to see how much these costumes and props are appreciated.

These are one-of-a-kind works of art, from a unique American art form, from an era we will never see again. They SHOULD be in a museum for all the world to see.

Debbie was right. She always has been about this.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 6/18/11 at 6:19pm

Do museums like The Smithsonian bid on auctions like these?

[JerseyGirl2]

Posted: 6/18/11 at 6:21pm

Has anything gone below the estimated price? This is fascinating.

Claude Rains Ivory Suit was estimated at 12-15k and went for $67,650!

[best12bars]

Posted: 6/18/11 at 6:23pm

Nope, Jordan. From what I understand, the Smithsonian doesn't pay for anything. They are donations only. I suppose if some of these bidders donate their items, that would be awesome.

Just saw Claude Rain's costume from Casablanca, valued at $12K go for $55K.

nygrl232---LOL. I wish I had this kind of pocket change.

[JerseyGirl2]

Posted: 6/18/11 at 6:24pm

What lot is the Marilyn SLIH dress?

[nygrl232]

Posted: 6/18/11 at 6:28pm

I hope they donate them eventually, too. Materials, techniques, etc. went into them that are a part of history, and many aren't used anymore. Not to mention that there may be a bit of moviestar DNA yet still lurking in the cuffs.
Updated On: 6/18/11 at 06:28 PM

[best12bars]

Posted: 6/18/11 at 6:28pm

I don't know, JG2. I tried to scan ahead, but there's just so much stuff!

Jordan was right, Miss Reynolds was a hoarder.

[best12bars]

Posted: 6/18/11 at 6:29pm

"Not to mention the plethora of moviestar DNA that may yet still lurk in the cuffs."

Translation: Norma Shearer's stinky undies?


EDIT: Okay, the bidding just went nuts over Ingrid Bergman's "Gaslight" dress. Estimated at $8K to $12K, sold for $32.5. And the prop dress with all the jewels sewn into it (major plot point!) sold for $8K.

Updated On: 6/18/11 at 06:29 PM

[JerseyGirl2]

Posted: 6/18/11 at 6:34pm

Subway dress is 354. I just can't stay up that late. Be sure to drop the details here. lol

257 is Vivien Leigh's Blanche DuBois ivory and pink chiffon robe. I could MELT. Or the Cleopatra headpiece! Vivien was my obSESSion for a bit.

[best12bars]

Posted: 6/18/11 at 6:37pm

Next biggie that I can see is Elizabeth Taylor's jockey costume from "National Velvet," estimated at $10-15K.


EDIT: Sold for $60K.

Updated On: 6/18/11 at 06:37 PM

[JerseyGirl2]

Posted: 6/18/11 at 6:38pm

Sold for $60k.

[best12bars]

Posted: 6/18/11 at 6:41pm

Judy's Meet Me In St. Louis dress didn't sell for as much as I thought, although it's not in great shape. It's lavender now, and it was light blue in the film. Totally faded.

Appraised at $10 - 15K, sold for $16K.

[best12bars]

Posted: 6/18/11 at 6:48pm

Here come Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra's sailor suits from "Anchors Aweigh."

Sold separately ... batteries not included.

These should both be big sellers.

Gene's was valued at 8K-12K, sold for 27.5K.

Updated On: 6/18/11 at 06:48 PM

[nygrl232]

Posted: 6/18/11 at 6:51pm

Is it weird that she had a Liz Taylor costume?

[best12bars]

Posted: 6/18/11 at 6:53pm

I thought so too, but Liz actually gave Debbie the money years ago to buy some of her old costumes. She believed in Debbie's museum.

I kid you not. Those two ladies were cool.

EDIT: next biggie up---Joan Crawford's waitress costume from Mildred Pierce. And I'm a little sad about this one. A very good friend of mine (also a star at Warner Bros.) wore this same waitress costume in a Warner Bros. movie in 1946, the year after Mildred Pierce.

Sold for $22.5K.

Updated On: 6/18/11 at 06:53 PM

[best12bars]

Posted: 6/18/11 at 7:05pm

Edmund Gwenn's Santa suit from "Miracle on 34th St." is next. Should be big! Sold for $22.5K.

Updated On: 6/18/11 at 07:05 PM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 6/18/11 at 7:12pm

Be sure to let me know how much Madeas muumuu goes for!!

[best12bars]

Posted: 6/18/11 at 7:19pm

Tree-fitty!