Heritage Auctions

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Beatles'Autographs Bring $59,750 at Auction

Dallas, TX: One of the last awarded Oscars that can be legally sold generated strong competition among bidders and was purchased for $65,725 in a public auction of music and entertainment memorabilia conducted by Heritage Auction Galleries of Dallas, Texas (www.HA.com ) this past weekend. The auction realized $1,026,521 for 998 lots offered, although after-auction sales are still ongoing. A Final Session associated with this auction, held on Monday, April 7 and featuring 152 lots, realized an additional $26,247, for an overall total of $1,052,768.

"This is the Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Subject of 1949. The Academy has prohibited winners of these coveted, golden statues awarded since 1950 from selling them in the secondary market, so this was one of the last Oscars that can be sold. There was spirited floor bidding going against the phone bidding for this item, and after the hammer came down, the audience erupted in spontaneous applause. The $65,725 winning bid testifies to the rarity and desirability of these iconic awards," said Doug Norwine of Heritage.

"Another big winner in this auction was the set of four Beatles' autographs on a piece of Elvis Presley's personal stationary from his Bel Aire, California home. It's a tangible memento of the August 27, 1965 meeting between these rock and roll legends. The autographed stationary sold for $59,750."

Actor James Dean's "lucky" screen-worn pocket watch from the 1955 film, East of Eden, sold for $53,775, and the signed registration form for the race that the young actor was heading toward when he lost his life in a September 1955 car crash was purchased for $23,900. On the music side, a pair of brown suede fringed boots worn by Jimi Hendrix realized $21,510, while a black wool jacket owned and worn by the influential guitarist sold for $17,925.

The Jed Clampett character "Sunday best" costume worn by Beverly Hillbillies television series star, Buddy Ebsen, sold for $7,170, his batted Uncle Jed hat brought $2,629 and an assortment of three of his prop mustaches went for $2,031.

"This was a very strong auction," said Norwine, "with bidders competing fiercely for these historic and one-of-a-kind items. From screen-used props to prestigious awards to celebrity personal items, every category was marked by strong interest and aggressive bidding.

Heritage's next Music, Hollywood, and Celebrity Memorabilia auction will be held in Dallas and online on October 4 and 5, 2008.

Highlights of the April 5, 2008 auction included:

• Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Subject of 1949, One of the Last Available Oscars To Be Resold: Realized: $65,725
• Beatles' Autographs on Elvis' Personal Stationery - August 27, 1965: Realized: $59,750
• James Dean's "Lucky" Screen-Worn Pocket Watch from East of Eden: Realized: $53,775
• James Dean's Signed Registration for His Tragic Final Race: Realized: $23,900
• Gone With the Wind Screen-Used Arm Chair: Realized: $22,107
• Jimi Hendrix Stage-Worn Boots: Realized: $21,510
• Jimi Hendrix Owned and Worn Jacket: Realized: $17,925
• Meet the Beatles Moving Head Window Display (Capitol, 1964): Realized: $15,535
• Lenny Bruce Documents and Recordings Archive: Realized: $11,950
• Elvis Presley Sun 45 Group of Five (Sun, 1954-55): Realized: $11,950
• The Midnighters Their Greatest Hits 10" LP (Federal 295-90, 1954): Realized: $9,560
• Buddy Ebsen's Beverly Hillbillies Mustache Set: Realized : $2,031
• Buddy Ebsen's Jed Clampett "Sunday Best" Suit: Realized: $7,170
• Buddy Ebsen's "Jed Clampett" Costume Hat: Realized: $2,629
• Beverly Hills CENSORED Club Pool Table: Realized: $9,560

Prospective consignors and sellers of Entertainment, Celebrity or Hollywood memorabilia are invited to www.HA.com and click on the "Sell Now" tab. Or simply email Doug Norwine at DougN@HA.com.

To reserve your copy of any Heritage auction catalog, please contact Client Services at 1-800-872-6467, extension 1150, or visit www.HA.com/Catalog to order by email.

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