Classic Entertainment

A remembrance of Oscar-winning Casablanca director Michael Curtiz—collection of 23 letters from collaborators like John Wayne, Ronald Reagan, and Ingrid Bergman

474. Michael Curtiz: Collection of (23) Letters Remembering the Casablanca Director. Collection of 23 letters

from various Hollywood stars and filmmakers to Candace Curtiz, the daughter of Oscar-winning director Michael Curtiz, sending personal anecdotes about her father that she intends on using for a book. Dated between 1974 and 1978, the collection, which consists of nine ALSs and 14 TLSs for a total of 36 pages, offers a wealth of insightful and often amusing stories regarding the notoriously difficult-to-work-with director, with many of the letters featuring fond if not entirely frank remembrances of the Curtiz method of tough-love moviemaking. The collection includes letters from Ingrid Bergman, Ronald Reagan, John Wayne, Lauren Bacall, Olivia de Havilland (2), and several more. In overall very good to fine condition, with wrinkling and dampstaining to the Reagan letter. Highlights and a complete list of letters are available online. Starting Bid $500

475. Gone With the Wind: Vivien Leigh Signed Photograph. Vintage pearl-

finish 3.5 x 5.5 portrait photo of Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O’Hara in the classic 1939 film Gone with the Wind, signed in fountain pen. In fine condition. Starting Bid $200

First edition ‘novelization’ of King Kong, with scarce first-issue dust jacket

476. King Kong First Edition Book. First edition book: King Kong, conceived by Edgar Wallace and Merian C. Cooper, novelized by Delos W. Lovelace. First edition. NY: Grosset & Dunlap, 1932. Hardcover bound in original green cloth lettered in dark maroon, pictorial endpapers showing several action stills from the movie, with scarce first-issue color pictorial dust jacket, 5.75 x 8.25, 249 pages. Book condition: VG+/VG, with dust jacket expertly restored along edges and spine panel slightly faded. Accompanied by a custom-made clamshell box made by Dragonfly Bindery/Studio of Woonsocket, Rhode Island.

Featuring stills from the classic RKO thriller on the endpapers, Delos W. Lovelace’s original novelization of the film King Kong was released by Grosset & Dunlap in 1932 as part of the film’s advance marketing. Co-creator Merian Cooper was the key influence in King Kong’s development, with noted writer Edgar Wallace lending his well-recognized name to the screenplay; as Wallace passed away early in the creative process, the screenplay was ultimately authored by James Ashmore Creelman and Ruth Rose. This highly sought-after first edition of the classic tale, released just over two months before the film’s premiere, represents a landmark achievement in the ‘monster thriller’ genre of American science fiction. Starting Bid $300

477. Bela Lugosi Signed War Ration Book. Three of the

Lugosi family’s war ration stamp books, 5.75 x 4.25, each filled out in another hand with their names and address at 10841 Whipple Street in North Hollywood, and signed on the covers in fountain pen by the recipient: the legendary Count Dracula actor, “Bela Lugosi”; his wife, “Lillian Lugosi”; and his wife on behalf of their son, “Bela George Lugosi Jr. (Signed by Mother).” Each booklet retains some of the ration stamps. Includes an original leather “Ration Books & Token Holder” wallet. In fine condition, with expected handling wear. Starting Bid $200

478. Steve McQueen Document Signed. DS,

signed “Steven T. McQueen,” four pages, 8.5 x 11, November 9, 1965. Document of “Minutes of Regular Meeting of the Shareholders of Solar Productions, Inc.,” which states that Steve McQueen, as chairman, does represent 200 shares of the company, and that McQueen, Robert J. Schiller, and Neile Adams McQueen were elected as directors. The document also confirms that the company has entered into joint ventures Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros. for the films Nevada Smith and Day of the Champion. Signed at the conclusion in purple ink by McQueen. In fine condition. Starting Bid $200

479. Monty Python Signed Photograph. Sought-after

vintage glossy 8.25 x 5.75 cardstock photo of the Monty Python crew in character, signed in ink and ballpoint by Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin. In fine condition, with a bit of light creasing. A very early signed photo of the legendary and beloved British comedy troupe. Starting Bid $200