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Description

Marlon Brando's Contact Lenses, Possibly from Viva Zapata! Two pairs of Marlon Brando's brown-colored costume lenses possibly worn by blue-eyed actor as Emiliano Zapata in Elia Kazan's 1952 biopic. (The performance earned Brando his second Academy Award nomination). The lenses appear to be in Very Fine to Excellent condition, and are accompanied by a letter to Brando from the Beverly Hills Optical Company instructing him on how to use them. The letter's pre-1958 phone exchanges lead our experts to believe the lenses could have been originally made for Viva Zapata! Though rumor has it Brando accidentally swallowed a pair of contacts on the set, these survived and were most likely used by Brando in The Appaloosa (1966), which would explain their presence in Bud Westmore's archive. From the Bud Westmore Collection. Accompanied by an LOA from Jeannie Westmore.

Heritage Auctions provides detailed information when available but strongly encourages in-person inspection. Condition statements and photographs are offered as general guidance only, not as complete representations of facts, and do not constitute a warranty or assumption of liability by Heritage. Framed artworks are not examined outside their frames, and additional details from Heritage may be unavailable; therefore, the condition of unexamined works is not guaranteed. Heritage is not responsible for damage to frames, glazing, original boxes, display materials, or for works that have shifted within the frame. All lots are sold "AS IS" in accordance with our Terms & Conditions of Auction.

Auction Info

Auction Dates
February, 2011
18th-19th Friday-Saturday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 2
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 3,435

Buyer's Premium per Lot:
19.5% of the successful bid per lot.

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Sold on Feb 18, 2011 for: $478.00
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