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Chronology : 1930 1956 1967 1970
See also : Movies II Illustrators Cars II Cars 1960s Cars 1960s II Cars 1970s 1980s Ferrari TR to GTO US cars Porsche Germany II Textiles Garment Fashion Musical instrument Instrument and equipment
Chronology : 1930 1956 1967 1970
1930 Gary Cooper as The Texan by Norman Rockwell
2007 SOLD for $ 5.9M including premium by Sotheby's
1941 The Lead Falcon
2013 SOLD 4.1 M$ including premium
In 1941 the Maltese Falcon, produced by Warner Bros. and directed by John Huston, is a milestone in the history of cinema. The public will abandon the horror movies in favor of the film noir displaying a complex detective story.
This evil bird that is succeeding the terrible monsters seldom appears in the film. It is an object of intense desire until it is discovered and provides the evidence that it was not made of precious materials.
The detailed on-screen inspection of the handling of this statuette 30cm high shows that it is very heavy. The version made in lead weighing 20.5 kg is authenticated in two units by Warner.
Only one of them was used in the film. It is for sale by Bonhams in New York on November 25. Here is the link to the catalog.
During filming, this heavy prop had fallen from the hands of an actress on the toes of Humphrey Bogart and a lead feather from the tail was bent by the accident. This damage is visible during an action on screen and ensures that the copy for sale by Bonhams is the actual bird of the film.
Yesterday November 7 at Guernsey's, a Maltese Falcon in gray plaster of same size remained unsold from an estimate of $ 1M. It is signed with the initials of the artist : Fred Sexton.
POST SALE COMMENT
This statuette is a true icon in the history of cinema. It was sold for $ 3.5 million before fees, 4.1 million including premium.
This evil bird that is succeeding the terrible monsters seldom appears in the film. It is an object of intense desire until it is discovered and provides the evidence that it was not made of precious materials.
The detailed on-screen inspection of the handling of this statuette 30cm high shows that it is very heavy. The version made in lead weighing 20.5 kg is authenticated in two units by Warner.
Only one of them was used in the film. It is for sale by Bonhams in New York on November 25. Here is the link to the catalog.
During filming, this heavy prop had fallen from the hands of an actress on the toes of Humphrey Bogart and a lead feather from the tail was bent by the accident. This damage is visible during an action on screen and ensures that the copy for sale by Bonhams is the actual bird of the film.
Yesterday November 7 at Guernsey's, a Maltese Falcon in gray plaster of same size remained unsold from an estimate of $ 1M. It is signed with the initials of the artist : Fred Sexton.
POST SALE COMMENT
This statuette is a true icon in the history of cinema. It was sold for $ 3.5 million before fees, 4.1 million including premium.
(1927)-1942 The Moroccan Piano of Casablanca
2014 SOLD for $ 3.4M including premium
Casablanca, produced by Warner Bros in 1942, is one of the most outstanding and beloved movies of romantic action, offering the emotional meeting of Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. A basic part of the scenario is played around the piano in the night club.
The instrument was made in 1927 and stored by the First National Pictures (FNP) of which it bears an inventory mark. When it was chosen for the film, it was painted with orientalist patterns.
This instrument has a unique feature related to the requirements of the film: the lid is detached from the case in order to enable the gesture of the actor who hides inside it some coveted papers.
This piano with its original stool is lot 83 in the sale of souvenirs of the American cinema organized on November 24 by Bonhams in New York with the participation of Turner Classic Movies.
There is another Casablanca piano, screen used in a flashback scene located in Paris. This instrument of the "Belle Aurore" was sold for $ 600K including premium by Sotheby's on December 14, 2012.
The instrument was made in 1927 and stored by the First National Pictures (FNP) of which it bears an inventory mark. When it was chosen for the film, it was painted with orientalist patterns.
This instrument has a unique feature related to the requirements of the film: the lid is detached from the case in order to enable the gesture of the actor who hides inside it some coveted papers.
This piano with its original stool is lot 83 in the sale of souvenirs of the American cinema organized on November 24 by Bonhams in New York with the participation of Turner Classic Movies.
There is another Casablanca piano, screen used in a flashback scene located in Paris. This instrument of the "Belle Aurore" was sold for $ 600K including premium by Sotheby's on December 14, 2012.
1955 The Most Famous Pleated Dress
2011 SOLD 5.6 M$ including premium
It was the most successful seduction scene in motion picture history. In 1955, Marilyn Monroe plays the role of The Girl in the film by Billy Wilder, The Seven Year Itch. In a burst of laughter, she went to stand on a subway vent. The wind made the dress fly as superb scrolls that reveal her thighs.
This lovely ivory white gown was a technical achievement. It must be heavy enough to stay graceful while walking, and light enough to fly above the wind tunnel. The designer Travilla chose a rayon-based fabric. A photo of the famous scene illustrates the article shared by the Daily Mail.
In 1971, 20th Century Fox sells many of their movie props, due to financial difficulties. The actress Debbie Reynolds, who was the dance partner of Gene Kelly in Singin' in the Rain, acquires prestigious pieces before they are auctioned.
She now splits her extraordinary collection, in two sales held by Profiles in History in Beverly Hills. The subway dress is included in the first sale, on June 18. It had never been submitted to a public sale, and it is very difficult to predict the price. The auction house announced a very open estimate that seems reasonable: between 1 and 2 million $.
POST SALE COMMENT
The sale was available live on the bidding provider site LiveAuctioneers. It was well attended by buyers, and the top lot reached a remarkable price: $ 4.6 million before fees.
It is a triumph in the category of movie props.
This lovely ivory white gown was a technical achievement. It must be heavy enough to stay graceful while walking, and light enough to fly above the wind tunnel. The designer Travilla chose a rayon-based fabric. A photo of the famous scene illustrates the article shared by the Daily Mail.
In 1971, 20th Century Fox sells many of their movie props, due to financial difficulties. The actress Debbie Reynolds, who was the dance partner of Gene Kelly in Singin' in the Rain, acquires prestigious pieces before they are auctioned.
She now splits her extraordinary collection, in two sales held by Profiles in History in Beverly Hills. The subway dress is included in the first sale, on June 18. It had never been submitted to a public sale, and it is very difficult to predict the price. The auction house announced a very open estimate that seems reasonable: between 1 and 2 million $.
POST SALE COMMENT
The sale was available live on the bidding provider site LiveAuctioneers. It was well attended by buyers, and the top lot reached a remarkable price: $ 4.6 million before fees.
It is a triumph in the category of movie props.
1955-(1966) Back to the Futura
2013 SOLD 4.62 M$ including premium
We all wish to predict the future. The evolution of the car captures our imagination. For this reason, do not look on the roads for the most fabulous cars.
In 1955 at the Chicago Auto Show, Ford unveils the Lincoln Futura. This is a single specimen bodied by Ghia, low and wide with very long wings. It is designed for two seaters, protected as in a spacesuit by a double bubble-shaped windshield. It is white.
Painted in red, the Futura plays in a movie in 1959. In 1965, George Barris saves it from oblivion and from the risk of destruction by buying it to Ford for one symbolic dollar. Barris has an unprecedented job for which he created the wording 'Kustomizer': he is adapting cars to make the most extraordinary custom vehicles of television and film.
A few months later, there is an extreme urgency at the 20th Century Fox! Batman has an immediate need for a car worthy of his extravagance for the television series in preparation. The Futura is painted in black with horizontal psychedelic lines that symbolize audacity and speed. Thus was born the Batmobile.
This first Batmobile was retained by Barris. It is now coming to auction at Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale on January 19.
The word 'iconic' has rarely been used as well than for describing this television vehicle. A website (1966batmobile.com) and a Wikipedia page (Lincoln Futura) are devoted to it.
I invite you to play the video shared by CNNMoney.
POST SALE COMMENT
It was a great time in the auction week of Arizona. In the presence of George Barris, the Batmobile was sold $ 4.2 million before fees, $ 4.62 million including premium. The specialized press was waiting for a price at such a level.
This is an outstanding result for a car designed exclusively for cinema or television. It equals James Bond's Aston Martin, sold £ 2.9 million including premium by RM Auctions on October 27, 2010.
In 1955 at the Chicago Auto Show, Ford unveils the Lincoln Futura. This is a single specimen bodied by Ghia, low and wide with very long wings. It is designed for two seaters, protected as in a spacesuit by a double bubble-shaped windshield. It is white.
Painted in red, the Futura plays in a movie in 1959. In 1965, George Barris saves it from oblivion and from the risk of destruction by buying it to Ford for one symbolic dollar. Barris has an unprecedented job for which he created the wording 'Kustomizer': he is adapting cars to make the most extraordinary custom vehicles of television and film.
A few months later, there is an extreme urgency at the 20th Century Fox! Batman has an immediate need for a car worthy of his extravagance for the television series in preparation. The Futura is painted in black with horizontal psychedelic lines that symbolize audacity and speed. Thus was born the Batmobile.
This first Batmobile was retained by Barris. It is now coming to auction at Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale on January 19.
The word 'iconic' has rarely been used as well than for describing this television vehicle. A website (1966batmobile.com) and a Wikipedia page (Lincoln Futura) are devoted to it.
I invite you to play the video shared by CNNMoney.
POST SALE COMMENT
It was a great time in the auction week of Arizona. In the presence of George Barris, the Batmobile was sold $ 4.2 million before fees, $ 4.62 million including premium. The specialized press was waiting for a price at such a level.
This is an outstanding result for a car designed exclusively for cinema or television. It equals James Bond's Aston Martin, sold £ 2.9 million including premium by RM Auctions on October 27, 2010.
1956-(1966) Gran Turismo by Ferrari
2012 SOLD 6.7 M$ including premium
At the time of my writing, it is night in Monterey. The first auction day of RM Auctions has been a great success. I introduce now one of the favorite cars of RM for the second session of sales, on today evening August 18.
The creation of a Grand Touring (Gran Turismo) class in competition is one of the consequences of the disaster at Le Mans in 1955. Ferrari has launched in the previous year the 250GT chassis, equipped as a berlinetta for the road.
For the often tortuous roads of the Tour de France Automobile, Ferrari designs the 250GT TdF. The name is well chosen: in 1957, Gendebien and Bianchi actually won the competition with a TdF.
The car for sale tonight was bodied by Scaglietti in 1956, with the rare 14 louvers variant describing the parallel slits that decorate the side panels.
This car both elegant and efficient later received a casting tribute. This unit was chosen by Walt Disney Studios to symbolize Ferrari for co-starring with Volkswagen in The Love Bug, one of the most successful films of that time.
It is a great achievement for the art of Scaglietti when considering that the film was prepared in 1966. The 14 louvers TdF has been chosen by the Disney team despite ten years of age, in competition with the California Spyder and the GTO, those two later models better known today whose production was also already a thing of the past.
I invite you to play the video shared by RM Auctions on YouTube.
POST SALE COMMENT
The result is $ 6.1 million excluding fees, 6.7 million including premium. This is a Ferrari of high class, without being among the most outstanding models.
The creation of a Grand Touring (Gran Turismo) class in competition is one of the consequences of the disaster at Le Mans in 1955. Ferrari has launched in the previous year the 250GT chassis, equipped as a berlinetta for the road.
For the often tortuous roads of the Tour de France Automobile, Ferrari designs the 250GT TdF. The name is well chosen: in 1957, Gendebien and Bianchi actually won the competition with a TdF.
The car for sale tonight was bodied by Scaglietti in 1956, with the rare 14 louvers variant describing the parallel slits that decorate the side panels.
This car both elegant and efficient later received a casting tribute. This unit was chosen by Walt Disney Studios to symbolize Ferrari for co-starring with Volkswagen in The Love Bug, one of the most successful films of that time.
It is a great achievement for the art of Scaglietti when considering that the film was prepared in 1966. The 14 louvers TdF has been chosen by the Disney team despite ten years of age, in competition with the California Spyder and the GTO, those two later models better known today whose production was also already a thing of the past.
I invite you to play the video shared by RM Auctions on YouTube.
POST SALE COMMENT
The result is $ 6.1 million excluding fees, 6.7 million including premium. This is a Ferrari of high class, without being among the most outstanding models.
1956 Robots from Outer Space
2017 SOLD for $ 5.4M including premium
The conquest of space is a poorly guarded secret : in 1954, appealed by early informations in the magazines, Hergé sends the Tintin team to walk on the Moon. In the following year the United States and the Soviet Union announce their competing programs a few days apart one another.
In 1956 the MGM prepares Forbidden Planet. The intelligent humanoid robot named Robby is the star of the movie, especially as the terrible evil monster named Id is invisible. In this Shakespearian drama whose scenario is apparently inspired by The Tempest, the robot dies atrociously : obliged to respond to Asimov's laws that forbids it to harm a human being, it breaks up because it cannot oppose Id which is actually a psychic emanation of the mad scientist.
In the following year Sputnik I is the first artificial satellite of the Earth. Less advanced than the nice Robby it only says "beep beep beep". Meanwhile the real Robby receives a huge popular success and it will then be reused in many science fiction movies.
Robby is a complex machine for its time : talking, walking, reaching out and flashing with all its lights. It is activated incognito by a small man hidden inside. The rubber hands and the dome have not survived the test of time and were changed in the early 1980s by a careful collector. Accompanied by its Jeep, remote control console and some spare equipment, it will be sold in New York on November 21 by Bonhams in association with Turner Classic Movies, lot 1070.
Other robots aroused also later the fervor of the public. R2-D2, shaped like a more modern 1 m high electronic equipment mounted on small wheels, has been continuously modified from 1977 for the needs of the Star Wars series. It was sold for $ 2.75M by Profiles in History on June 28, 2017.
In 1956 the MGM prepares Forbidden Planet. The intelligent humanoid robot named Robby is the star of the movie, especially as the terrible evil monster named Id is invisible. In this Shakespearian drama whose scenario is apparently inspired by The Tempest, the robot dies atrociously : obliged to respond to Asimov's laws that forbids it to harm a human being, it breaks up because it cannot oppose Id which is actually a psychic emanation of the mad scientist.
In the following year Sputnik I is the first artificial satellite of the Earth. Less advanced than the nice Robby it only says "beep beep beep". Meanwhile the real Robby receives a huge popular success and it will then be reused in many science fiction movies.
Robby is a complex machine for its time : talking, walking, reaching out and flashing with all its lights. It is activated incognito by a small man hidden inside. The rubber hands and the dome have not survived the test of time and were changed in the early 1980s by a careful collector. Accompanied by its Jeep, remote control console and some spare equipment, it will be sold in New York on November 21 by Bonhams in association with Turner Classic Movies, lot 1070.
Other robots aroused also later the fervor of the public. R2-D2, shaped like a more modern 1 m high electronic equipment mounted on small wheels, has been continuously modified from 1977 for the needs of the Star Wars series. It was sold for $ 2.75M by Profiles in History on June 28, 2017.
1961-(1963) Oggi the Ferrari
2016 SOLD for $ 17.2M including premium
On March 11 in Amelia Island, Gooding sells a California Spider. Such event is not unusual but this specific example has many qualities that make it one of the most desirable Ferrari cars. It is estimated $ 15M, lot 069. Here is the link to the press release.
This car built in 1961 has the two outstanding aesthetic achievements by Scaglietti : the bodywork on the shorter frame and the covered headlights. Its color is the best symbol of the brand: it is painted in red and the leathers are black.
It had only three owners from new who carefully maintained and serviced it without modification and it so remains one of the most original from that model. It had probably never left Italy.
This California Spider is the dream car in the film Ieri, Oggi, Domani released in 1963. The movie is composed of three episodes of the Italian life unconnected in location or time, whose only common point is the leading couple, Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni.
The central story, Oggi, was inspired from a short novel by Moravia whose title Troppo Ricca demonstrates the intention of social criticism. The woman drives with her lover the Rolls-Rolls of her husband and suddenly considers that she must make a choice between man and car. Relationships become nervous and Sophia crashes the Rolls.
The woman leaves on the road both car and lover and makes hitchhiking. They are near to Milan and the car that boards Sophia is our Ferrari, lent by its owner of that time to the film producer. Italy did not need to rely on concept cars to show on screen the ideal car : they had the 250 GT SWB California Spider.
This car built in 1961 has the two outstanding aesthetic achievements by Scaglietti : the bodywork on the shorter frame and the covered headlights. Its color is the best symbol of the brand: it is painted in red and the leathers are black.
It had only three owners from new who carefully maintained and serviced it without modification and it so remains one of the most original from that model. It had probably never left Italy.
This California Spider is the dream car in the film Ieri, Oggi, Domani released in 1963. The movie is composed of three episodes of the Italian life unconnected in location or time, whose only common point is the leading couple, Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni.
The central story, Oggi, was inspired from a short novel by Moravia whose title Troppo Ricca demonstrates the intention of social criticism. The woman drives with her lover the Rolls-Rolls of her husband and suddenly considers that she must make a choice between man and car. Relationships become nervous and Sophia crashes the Rolls.
The woman leaves on the road both car and lover and makes hitchhiking. They are near to Milan and the car that boards Sophia is our Ferrari, lent by its owner of that time to the film producer. Italy did not need to rely on concept cars to show on screen the ideal car : they had the 250 GT SWB California Spider.
1964 Aston Martin for 007
2010 SOLD 2.9 M£ including premium
James Bond required an exceptional car. It was supplied by Aston Martin in 1964 for the filming of Goldfinger. It will be sold on October 27 by RM Auctions in London. The sale is organized in association with Sotheby's.
It is derived from a commercial model, specifically a DB5, on which Aston Martin has added all the accessories necessary for a perfect spy: rotating plate, ejector seat, retractable roof and many other gadgets powered by a board located in the armrest.The car has been re-used in Thunderball, and then purchased by a collector who preserved it in its original condition. It expects 3.5 million pounds.
Can we say that it is the most famous car in the world? Certainly, at least at the time of the movies. Under license from Aston Martin, Corgi Toys has sold millions of model toys.
POST SALE COMMENT
The result is a little disappointing, especially considering the intense media communication about this car: £ 2.9 million including premium.
It is derived from a commercial model, specifically a DB5, on which Aston Martin has added all the accessories necessary for a perfect spy: rotating plate, ejector seat, retractable roof and many other gadgets powered by a board located in the armrest.The car has been re-used in Thunderball, and then purchased by a collector who preserved it in its original condition. It expects 3.5 million pounds.
Can we say that it is the most famous car in the world? Certainly, at least at the time of the movies. Under license from Aston Martin, Corgi Toys has sold millions of model toys.
POST SALE COMMENT
The result is a little disappointing, especially considering the intense media communication about this car: £ 2.9 million including premium.
1967-(1968) A Ford behind Steve McQueen
2012 SOLD 11 M$ including premium
There were only 133 copies of Ford GT40, including all body variants. Fans of this legendary model are delighted: some exceptional cars are presented in three auctions to be held next month in California.
The model was developed in the United States but the cars were manufactured by an English department of Ford called Ford Advanced Vehicles (FAV). When Ford left the series in 1967, the former head of FAV tried to continue the operation by creating John Wyer Automotive (JWA).
One of these GT40, for sale by RM Auctions in Monterey on August 17, is related to this last phase of the model.
It successfully started its career by winning at Spa in May 1967 in a Mirage M configuration. Due to one of these changes in race regulations which we so often discuss in this group, it was rebuilt in the following year by Wyer under a configuration identified as 1968 Ford GT40 Gulf / Mirage Lightweight Racing Car.
It is one of two survivors from three lightweight GT40, and one of the earliest racing cars to use carbon fiber.
It then went to the movies industry, but not in the star role which its supreme elegance would have earned. In 1970, its roof was cut to allow the use of a 35mm camera by an operator on the passenger seat, and it was launched in the pursuit of the Porsche 917 of Steve McQueen as a camera car for the preparation of the film Le Mans.
This magnificent car is illustrated on the blog post shared by Road and Track.
I invite you to play the video shared by RM Auctions on YouTube.
POST SALE COMMENT
This wonderful Ford is one of the most desirable cars in the world. It was sold $ 10M hammer price, 11M including premium.
The model was developed in the United States but the cars were manufactured by an English department of Ford called Ford Advanced Vehicles (FAV). When Ford left the series in 1967, the former head of FAV tried to continue the operation by creating John Wyer Automotive (JWA).
One of these GT40, for sale by RM Auctions in Monterey on August 17, is related to this last phase of the model.
It successfully started its career by winning at Spa in May 1967 in a Mirage M configuration. Due to one of these changes in race regulations which we so often discuss in this group, it was rebuilt in the following year by Wyer under a configuration identified as 1968 Ford GT40 Gulf / Mirage Lightweight Racing Car.
It is one of two survivors from three lightweight GT40, and one of the earliest racing cars to use carbon fiber.
It then went to the movies industry, but not in the star role which its supreme elegance would have earned. In 1970, its roof was cut to allow the use of a 35mm camera by an operator on the passenger seat, and it was launched in the pursuit of the Porsche 917 of Steve McQueen as a camera car for the preparation of the film Le Mans.
This magnificent car is illustrated on the blog post shared by Road and Track.
I invite you to play the video shared by RM Auctions on YouTube.
POST SALE COMMENT
This wonderful Ford is one of the most desirable cars in the world. It was sold $ 10M hammer price, 11M including premium.
1970 The Preferred Car of Jo Siffert
2017 SOLD for $ 14M including premium
Porsche had never won the 24 hours of Le Mans. A change in regulations announced after the 1968 season by the ACO for the two classes 3 liters and 5 liters is seized as an opportunity. Porsche creates in parallel the models 908 and 917.
The rule for the 5 liter homologation requires that the model is produced in 25 identical units. Porsche's motivation is so intense that they line up their twenty-five 917 in the yard of the factory as early as April 1969. Success is still questionable because the 917 is very difficult to drive. None of them finished the 24 hours of Le Mans 1969 and a driver died during that race.
Porsche immediately conceived the necessary improvements, resulting in two variants of the chassis for each of the two models : K for Kurz Heck and LH for Lang Heck. The short variant is faster in top speed but less stable. Many drivers will prefer the LH.
On August 18 at Pebble Beach, Gooding sells a historically important 917K, lot 44 estimated $ 13M. Here is the link to the press release.
This car assembled in 1970 was immediately entered in the training and test sessions at Le Mans, Nürburgring and Ehra-Lessien in April and May, demonstrating the exceptional speed achieved by the 917K model.
It is purchased in June 1970 by Jo Siffert who does not use it in competition but leases it for the preparation of the film Le Mans. It is one of three 917K starring in this movie for which they also served as camera cars for shooting at full speed. This 917K was Siffert's favorite car and led his funeral procession in October 1971.
The car was found 30 years later in a Parisian suburb, covered with dust but untouched except for the absence of the engine. The next owner bought an original engine from the same series. The complete restoration was supervised by a former Porsche engineer who still had access to the factory archives of the 917 program.
Please watch the video shared by Gooding.
The rule for the 5 liter homologation requires that the model is produced in 25 identical units. Porsche's motivation is so intense that they line up their twenty-five 917 in the yard of the factory as early as April 1969. Success is still questionable because the 917 is very difficult to drive. None of them finished the 24 hours of Le Mans 1969 and a driver died during that race.
Porsche immediately conceived the necessary improvements, resulting in two variants of the chassis for each of the two models : K for Kurz Heck and LH for Lang Heck. The short variant is faster in top speed but less stable. Many drivers will prefer the LH.
On August 18 at Pebble Beach, Gooding sells a historically important 917K, lot 44 estimated $ 13M. Here is the link to the press release.
This car assembled in 1970 was immediately entered in the training and test sessions at Le Mans, Nürburgring and Ehra-Lessien in April and May, demonstrating the exceptional speed achieved by the 917K model.
It is purchased in June 1970 by Jo Siffert who does not use it in competition but leases it for the preparation of the film Le Mans. It is one of three 917K starring in this movie for which they also served as camera cars for shooting at full speed. This 917K was Siffert's favorite car and led his funeral procession in October 1971.
The car was found 30 years later in a Parisian suburb, covered with dust but untouched except for the absence of the engine. The next owner bought an original engine from the same series. The complete restoration was supervised by a former Porsche engineer who still had access to the factory archives of the 917 program.
Please watch the video shared by Gooding.
