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PROFILES IN HISTORY TO AUCTION
BELA LUGOSI'S LEGENDARY 1931 "DRACULA" CAPE
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
CAPE AND OTHER ITEMS FROM THE LUGOSI FAMILY WILL
BE A PART OF PROFILES IN HISTORY'S
"ICONS OF HOLLYWOOD" AUCTION
DECEMBER 15, 16 & 17 AT
THE PALEY CENTER FOR MEDIA IN BEVERLY HILLS
CAPE AND OTHER ITEMS FROM THE LUGOSI FAMILY WILL
BE A PART OF PROFILES IN HISTORY'S
"ICONS OF HOLLYWOOD" AUCTION
DECEMBER 15, 16 & 17 AT
THE PALEY CENTER FOR MEDIA IN BEVERLY HILLS
OCTOBER 27, LOS ANGELES- Profiles in History, run by Joe Maddalena, is proud to present items up for auction from the vampire that inspired it all, Bela Lugosi. It was Hungarian-born Lugosi’s portrayal as “Count Dracula” in the 1931 Universal classic Dracula that became the archetype for the character for generations to follow. Following the tremendous success in Dracula, Bela Lugosi became the quintessential horror actor. Among his horror roles, Bela played “Ygor” in Son of Frankenstein (1939); “Dr. Mirakle” in Murders In the Rue Morgue (1932); “’Murder’ Legendre” in White Zombie (1932); “Sayer of the Law” in Island of Lost Souls (1932) and “Frankenstein Monster” in Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man in 1943. There are seventeen lots in all, consigned by none other than Bela’s son, Bela Lugosi, Jr., and they have never before been available for sale.
(©)Universal Studios 1931
When one hears the name "Dracula," it is difficult to imagine anyone but Bela Lugosi wearing his signature mode of dress—white tie and tails and a cape—which he wore in the 1931 Universal Pictures classic Dracula. The "Dracula" cape embodies the iconic horror figure and is now up for auction. The cape is screen-used and consigned by his son directly. Prior to his death in 1956, Bela Lugosi gave the cape to his wife of 20 years, Lillian Lugosi, and the mother of Bela Jr., telling her that it was the cape from the film and to keep the cape for his son. Upon Lugosi's death in 1956, the family decided that he should be buried in his Dracula costume. Given Bela Lugosi’s wish that his son should have the cape, the family dressed the body in a lighter weight version of the cape he used when making personal appearances. Lillian retained the original 1931 cape and left it, along with her other possessions, to Bela Jr. upon her death in 1981. It has remained in his possession continuously. Without question, this is the greatest single horror garment in cinema history. The auction pre-sale estimate is $1,500,000 - $2,000,000.
Other items from Lugosi's family include, Bela's own near mint Dracula jumbo lobby card, The Return of the Vampire original U.S. title-card, a U.S. title card from Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein, a selection of vintage photographs from the Lugosi family album, amongst others.
These items join the only pair of screen used Ruby Slippers from The Wizard of Oz left on the market. These iconic shoes are from the climax of the film and are estimated at $2,000,000-3,000,000. Also up for auction is the DeLorean from Back to the Future III ($400,000 - $600,000,) Marilyn Monroe's wedding ring from her marriage to Joe DiMaggio ($300,000 to $500,000) and a Marilyn Monroe nude painting by Earl Moran ($70,000 to $90,000.) Stay tuned for the announcement of more iconic items up for auction.
(©)Universal Studios 1931
When one hears the name "Dracula," it is difficult to imagine anyone but Bela Lugosi wearing his signature mode of dress—white tie and tails and a cape—which he wore in the 1931 Universal Pictures classic Dracula. The "Dracula" cape embodies the iconic horror figure and is now up for auction. The cape is screen-used and consigned by his son directly. Prior to his death in 1956, Bela Lugosi gave the cape to his wife of 20 years, Lillian Lugosi, and the mother of Bela Jr., telling her that it was the cape from the film and to keep the cape for his son. Upon Lugosi's death in 1956, the family decided that he should be buried in his Dracula costume. Given Bela Lugosi’s wish that his son should have the cape, the family dressed the body in a lighter weight version of the cape he used when making personal appearances. Lillian retained the original 1931 cape and left it, along with her other possessions, to Bela Jr. upon her death in 1981. It has remained in his possession continuously. Without question, this is the greatest single horror garment in cinema history. The auction pre-sale estimate is $1,500,000 - $2,000,000.
Other items from Lugosi's family include, Bela's own near mint Dracula jumbo lobby card, The Return of the Vampire original U.S. title-card, a U.S. title card from Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein, a selection of vintage photographs from the Lugosi family album, amongst others.
These items join the only pair of screen used Ruby Slippers from The Wizard of Oz left on the market. These iconic shoes are from the climax of the film and are estimated at $2,000,000-3,000,000. Also up for auction is the DeLorean from Back to the Future III ($400,000 - $600,000,) Marilyn Monroe's wedding ring from her marriage to Joe DiMaggio ($300,000 to $500,000) and a Marilyn Monroe nude painting by Earl Moran ($70,000 to $90,000.) Stay tuned for the announcement of more iconic items up for auction.
ABOUT PROFILES IN HISTORY
Founded in 1985 by Joseph Maddalena, Profiles in History is the nation's leading dealer in guaranteed-authentic original historical autographs, letters, documents, vintage signed photographs and manuscripts. Born into a family of antiques dealers in Rhode Island, Joseph "Joe" Maddalena learned early on how to turn his passion of collecting historical autographs into a career. Needing to support himself, Joe turned to his hobby of buying and selling historical documents as a potential way to earn revenue. On weekends he scoured old Hollywood bookstores for letters and rare books. Upon graduation from Pepperdine, Joe pursued his passion to become a full-time dealer of historical documents, and opened his first office in 1985. A lifetime member of the Manuscript Society, Joe is widely recognized as the nation's leading authority on entertainment memorabilia and historical documents. Profiles in History has established itself as the world’s largest auctioneer of original Hollywood memorabilia, having held some of the most prestigious and successful auctions of Hollywood memorabilia and owning virtually every Guinness Book record prices for original screen-used memorabilia. With an extensive network of dealers, collectors, and institutions, Profiles in History is proud to play an important role in the preservation of motion picture history. Prior Profiles in History Hollywood auctions highlights include the "Cowardly Lion" costume fromThe Wizard of Oz ($805,000); a full-scale model T-800 Endoskeleton from Terminator 2: Judgment Day ($488,750); Marilyn Monroe’s “Diamonds” dress from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes ($356,500); Luke Skywalker’s light saber from Star Wars ($240,000); Margaret Hamilton’s “Wicked Witch” hat from The Wizard Of Oz ($230,000); and The Invisible Man1933 one-sheet movie poster ($230,000). Most recently from the history-making Debbie Reynolds Auction in June 2011, Profiles in History sold the Marilyn Monroe "Subway" Dress from The Seven Year Itch for $5.52M, the Marilyn Monroe signature red-sequined showgirl gown from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes for $1.44M and the Audrey Hepburn Ascot Dress fromMy Fair Lady for $4.44M. In addition, Joe Maddalena is the star of SyFy's hit show, Hollywood Treasure. With already 24 episodes aired, Hollywood Treasure is gearing up for an exciting return in 2012.
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