Tweet Debbie Reynolds Auction

Debbie Reynolds is auctioning off all the Hollywood memorabilia that she acquired over the years. The majority of the items are costumes, but there are some stills, lobby cards and props as well. You can download the catalog at http://www.profilesinhistory.com/hollywood-auction-catalogs/debbie-reynolds-the-auction-catalog/oummary.

Er.....wow. That's some costume collection....

That must be the most incredible movie costume collection of all time! THE Marilyn Monroe dress, THE Audrey Hepburn dress, ruby slippers, and what, a thousand other of the most iconic costumes ever?? I'm amazed that she ever could have even purchased all of those!

Another Hollywood Museum bites the dust. I knew this one was coming because it had been announced sometime ago. It joins others such as the Roy Rogers Museum some of which stuff was bought by the Gene Autry people.

Will the money raised during this amazing auction benefit a nonprofit organization or a collection of nonprofits organizations?

I believe i heard Debbie couldn't find a place for this collection , you would think the museums and libraries in Los Angeles would have whole buildings dedicated to Hollywood's past since it really put LA on the world map.

I believe i heard Debbie couldn't find a place for this collection , you would think the museums and libraries in Los Angeles would have whole buildings dedicated to Hollywood's past since it really put LA on the world map.

Donald Douglas, Howard Hughes, and Allan Loughead would disagree with you there.

It seems a shame to split up such an in depth collection unless it goes to a foundation that benefits the preservation of the history of cinema.

Does anyone know what happened to Debbie Reynold's dream of establishing a museum dedicated to the cinema? Too expensive? Not enough interest?

After she closed her Las Vegas hotel where some of the collection was displayed, from what I understand, she had hoped to have it at the Hollywood and Highland complex but at the least minute, negotiations fell apart due to circumstances from Reynolds' camp.

She then hoped to have it be part of Dolly Parton's Dollywood Amusement Park in Pigeon Forge, TN.

However, reports circulating indicate that Ms. Reynolds still has a great deal of debt that she is trying to retire and she hopes by selling her collection she will be able to do that.

This auction was mooted quite a while back - having heard nothing else of it, I'd almost hoped that it wasn't happening after all. The saddest part is that it seems to be taking place mainly to pay for the failed attempts to bring the collection to the public.

This is going to be quite an auction. The thing I want most: Valentino's purple toreador outfit from Blood and Sand. Seriously, download the catalog. Three-hundred pages (or so) that are so delicious that they're almost pornographic.

It makes me pretty sad that someone somewhere in the US can't manage to somehow, some way, find the money it would take to keep this unparalleled labor-of-love collection from being broken up. And that's putting aside the idea that today's Smithsonian can't swing it and make the collection public. America invented Hollywood and movie culture, but can't seem to shelter and preserve the evidence of that fact. And that's just too bad, Jim.

But really -- download the catalog and marvel at the treasures Debbie Reynolds managed to preserve. I've seen several sources to download it from, and at least one of them actually seems to be assembling real bids.

But really -- download the catalog and marvel at the treasures Debbie Reynolds managed to preserve. I've seen several sources to download it from, and at least one of them actually seems to be assembling real bids.

ICollector.com is handling internet bidding - see http://www.icollector.com/Debbie-Reynolds-The-Auction_a9882. I am seriously considering taking a deep breath and bidding for something in the high three or low four figures - it's once in a lifetime stuff, after all.

The catalogue is to die for - looking at the colours of some of those costumes makes you wish Technicolor came in a little earlier.

Actually, I wish I were rich enough to buy the lot and give it back to poor Debbie.

The catalog WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Too bad many of these wonderful items will go in private collections (and outside USA)

Unfortunately, from what I've heard, she never properly took care of them. She let dancers wear some of them, had them in closets and not temperature controlled vaults, etc.

Bad Debbie! Bad! Bad!

It makes me pretty sad that someone somewhere in the US can't manage to somehow, some way, find the money it would take to keep this unparalleled labor-of-love collection from being broken up. And that's putting aside the idea that today's Smithsonian can't swing it and make the collection public. America invented Hollywood and movie culture, but can't seem to shelter and preserve the evidence of that fact. And that's just too bad, Jim.

Even though it's part of the government I suspect the Smithsonian budget is pretty tight these days. I work in a small museum run by the State of New York and we're just glad that we're open and no one has been laid off.

It's too bad some well-heeled stars/directors/producers didn't pitch in and help out. If I had gazillions of dollars, you bet your ruby slippers I'd be donating.

It may sound frivolous, but I purchased the catalog simply because if this fantastic collection is broken apart, at least it can be viewed in book-form. I had already downloaded the document, but still wanted the catalog. Here's hoping a wealthy philanthropist steps forward and saves this gem.

It's certainly one of the lesser items, but lot 201 "Ann Miller White chiffon gown with red feathers from Easter Parade" is qute beautiful. I also liked Claudette Colbert's golden gown for the '34 "Cleopatra". If I had a ton of money I'd buy the Francis Bushman helmet from the Ben Hur chariot race, that's the thing I got the biggest thrill from seeing. Lucky she didn't have Carmel Myers' peacock headdress from "Ben Hur" or I'd be casing local banks

What a fascinating document, anyway. So many iconic items of memorabilia.

Howdy everyone, I'm a longtime lurker, first time poster. I'd thought I'd say a few things regarding this auction since I know someone who worked on this auction and chatted with him a bit about it.

Debbie Reynolds has a temperature-controlled facility specifically for storing costumes, and they were mostly stored in boxes wrapped in acid-free paper. She has been struggling for years to find a way for all of these costumes to be displayed together in public. This auction is the culmination of multiple attempts to do that, and each time the deal has fallen through somehow. I heard from another person at the auction that she even outright offered the entire collection to the Academy and was turned down. Even now, the people involved with the auction are hoping that there will be so much publicity attached to this auction that someone will step forward at the last minute to buy the collection so it can be kept intact. It's really sad to see so much incredible stuff in one place, knowing that this is the last time they will ever be together. And for many of the items, this will probably be the last time they are ever seen in public. Amazingly enough, this auction actually only represents a fraction of Debbie Reynold's collections, and there will be more auctions of this scale in the future if no one steps forward to acquire the remainder of the collection.

I really urge anyone who is in the area to stop by the public preview. The craftsmanship that went into these costumes, some of which are only seen fleetingly in the film, is astonishing. There are not a lot of items from the silent era there, but it's worth stopping by just to see Rudolph Valentino's gorgeous costume from Blood and Sand.

That must be the most incredible movie costume collection of all time! THE Marilyn Monroe dress, THE Audrey Hepburn dress, ruby slippers, and what, a thousand other of the most iconic costumes ever?? I'm amazed that she ever could have even purchased all of those!

The sad fact of the matter is that she was able to acquire so much because the costumes were simply not valued by the studios that produced these films. A lot of her collection came from the times when MGM and Fox decided to "clean house" and just sell off their entire collection of costumes. Many of the items were also gifts to Debbie Reynolds from people who knew she had an interest in collecting and preserving these things.

[silentfilm]

The auction is featured on the CNN website today:

http://www.cnn.com/2011/SHOWBIZ/06/17/photos.reynolds.auction/index.html?hpt=hp_c1

There's a show on Sy-Fi channel (however you spell it) where they auction off Hollywood props and memorablia. It's called Hollywood Treasures. This last week it featured the Debbie Reynolds collection. I guess they are handling it.

The auction is live at the moment - you can watch the lots go by at http://64.114.165.192/bidlive/bidapp.aspx?as=20092&si=1&s=0 (you can also watch a live stream, but there's not much to see - just the auctioneer gesticulating).

The majority of the silent lots have come and gone, though there's a couple of lobby cards right at the end of the auction. Valentino's `Blood and Sand' outfit went for $210,000 (or over $250,000 once you add the sales tax), way above the reserve and estimated price, as did Chaplin's bowler.

I wonder if anyone has any information on that hat? The catalogue lists it as having been acquired from the Hollywood Heritage Museum, to whom it was allegedly gifted by Chaplin himself. I hope an enormous price was paid, as it's a shame not to have it in the museum.

Profiles in HIstory is conducting the auction. Don't know why the Chaplin bowler was referenced as Hollywood Heritage Museum, they don't know about it.

Profiles in HIstory is conducting the auction. Don't know why the Chaplin bowler was referenced as Hollywood Heritage Museum, they don't know about it.

The exact quote from the catalogue is:

Charlie Chaplin signature bowler hat from numerous productions as “The Tramp” character. Signature black felt bowler hat with “London Best Custom Made” label. Gifted by Charlie Chaplin to the Hollywood Heritage Museum and acquired by Robert Nudelman for Debbie Reynolds’ collection.

Given that the museum itself wasn't around when Chaplin passed away, perhaps they meant some earlier museum or collection.

Some of the prices have been phenomenal. People somewhere have deep pockets!

Does anyone know if there is a link to find how much each item sold for? That must have been some auction! Would loved to have had Charlie's hat.

Here you go, Sandy:

http://www.icollector.com/Debbie-Reynolds-The-Auction_as20092

Too rich for my blood! Especially when you get to Marilyn Monroe's The Seven Year Itch dress!

Here you go, Sandy:

http://www.icollector.com/Debbie-Reynolds-The-Auction_as20092

Too rich for my blood! Especially when you get to Marilyn Monroe's The Seven Year Itch dress!

$4.6m!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Audrey Hepburn’s iconic Ascot dress from My Fair Lady 3.7M