What do Bella Lugosi, Star Wars and Marilyn Monroe have in common? Collectibles linked to each of these are appearing for sale at Profiles in History's upcoming Hollywood Auction in Beverly Hills.
Profiles in History's sale is 'part two' of its auctions from the collection of Debbie Reynolds, whose part one included the landmark $5.6m sale of Marilyn Monroe's Seven Year Itch dress.
Not surprisingly, Monroe also crops up in 'part two', including her aubergine gray evening dress & Bolero jacket as worn in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. It is estimated at $150,000-200,000.
Other highlights in the sale are Marilyn Monroe's iconic corset from the film Bus Stop (estimated at $200,000-300,000). You can see it in all Monroe's memorable scenes in the film.
And we've already reported on the inclusion of Bela Lugosi's legendary Dracula cape.
 George Lucas's camera, used to film 1977's Star Wars: Episode IV |
Also auctioning is an original movie camera used by director George Lucas to film 1977's Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope. The Panavision PSR 35mm camera is fully-restored and working, and will sell with a $100,000-200,000 estimate.
Profiles in History's sale will take place in Beverly Hills, California, next weekend on December 3.
The estimate for Lucas's camera may sound astronomical, but is significantly less than the $350,000 price achieved by a model TIE Fighter sold in a Hollywood auction in 2008.
The model TIE Fighter appears in Episode IV when it accidentally bumps into Darth Vader's during the film's final battle. The bump is a pivotal moment in the film, knocking Vader out of the trench and allowing Luke Skywalker to blow-up the iconic Death Star.
That Star Wars fans know and will have watched this scene time and time again - and can continue to enjoy it on DVD - no doubt contributed to the TIE Fighter's $350,000 final price.
 Marilyn Monroe's iconic corset from the film Bus Stop (est: $300,000) |
Whether George Lucas's Panavision camera, used behind the scenes rather than onscreen, has the same appeal for bidders remains to be seen. We're guessing it will - after all, Lucas is today regarded as being among the most influential filmmakers of the 20th century.
Of course, many Star Wars fans won't have $200,000 to bid on Lucas's camera. But the good news is you don't need to be significantly wealthy to own a genuine piece of the original Star Wars film.
Items that we've handled here at Paul Fraser Collectibles include three pieces of Krayt Dragon bone. The dragon's skeleton appears on screen with android C-3PO in Episode IV, during the androids' fateful trek in the Dune Sea.
Our piece of Star Wars stock is a bargain at just $1,500 - and will undoubtedly pale in comparison the value achieved by George Lucas's Panavision PSR 35mm camera in Profiles in History's December 3 auction.
