Limited Edition Al Hirschfeld Prints Signed By Broadway Stars, Now Up For Bids

Twenty limited-edition prints of acclaimed caricature artist Al Hirschfeld - signed by the iconic stage and screen stars featured in the image - are being auctioned online to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and the Al Hirschfeld Foundation, in partnership with leading auction houses Christie's and Charitybuzz: BroadwayCares.org/Hirschfeld.

The acclaimed actors immortalized who hand-signed the collectible prints this spring are Kevin Bacon, Betty Buckley, Cher, Richard Gere, Joel Grey, Mark Hamill, Nathan Lane, Jessica Lange, John Malkovich, Steve Martin, Reba McEntire, Donna McKechnie, Sir Ian McKellen, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Mandy Patinkin, Bernadette Peters, Stephen Sondheim, Sir Patrick Stewart, Leslie Uggams and Sam Waterston.

The auction launches Thursday, July 1, 2021, at broadwaycares.org/hirschfeld, and runs through Thursday, July 15.

Among the signed and numbered lots featured in the Charitybuzz Hirschfeld auction are:

a-? Patinkin and Peters as George and Dot from the original production of Sunday in the Park with George. The drawing first appeared in The New York Times on Sunday, April 29, 1984.

a-? Hamill, who had just gained international fame as Luke Skywalker in Star Wars, played Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in the Broadway production of Amadeus. Hirschfeld's drawing was first published in The New York Times on July 1, 1983.

a-? Lane from the Off-Broadway production of Terrence McNally's play The Lisbon Traviata. It was first published in The New York Times on November 10, 1989.

a-? Sondheim, one of the most esteemed, most successful and most studied composers and lyricists in musical theater history, with his keyboard and manuscripts. The image was privately commissioned in 1999.

Hirschfeld's drawings stand as one of the most innovative efforts in establishing the visual language of modern art through caricature in the 20th century. A self described "characterist," Hirschfeld's signature work, defined by a linear calligraphic style, appeared in virtually every major publication over nine decades (including a 75-year relationship with The New York Times), as well as numerous book and record covers and 15 postage stamps. Hirschfeld, a two-time Tony Award recipient, died in 2003 at the age of 99. Later that year, Broadway's Martin Beck Theatre was renamed the Al Hirschfeld Theatre.

"All of us at Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS count ourselves among the legion of Al Hirschfeld fans," Broadway Cares Executive Director Tom Viola said. "This unique collaboration with the Al Hirschfeld Foundation in partnership with Christie's and Charitybuzz will help ensure much-needed health care and medication, nutritious meals, counseling and emergency assistance for those across the country affected by HIV/AIDS, COVID-19 and other life-threatening illnesses."

"We are delighted to partner with Broadway Cares, Christies and Charitybuzz to bring these iconic prints to the public," said David Leopold, the Creative Director of the Al Hirschfeld Foundation. "We have received requests for years to have some of these images be published as prints. Having the performers, who felt honored to be drawn by The Line King return the favor by signing these very limited editions is a tribute to how much Hirschfeld and Broadway Cares means to this community."

Bonnie Brennan, President of Christie's Americas noted: "This is an ideal and important time to show support for BroadwayCares/Equity Fights AIDS, as we collectively emerge from the pandemic and experience the arts in person again. Christie's New York is proud to partner with Broadway Cares, the Al Hirschfeld Foundation and our partner Charitybuzz to bring this exciting sale of signed prints to market. We invite all of the dedicated collectors in our community to support this important fundraising opportunity."

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS was born from the hearts of those in the theater community as our nation was facing the scourge of the AIDS pandemic. For more than 30 years, Broadway Cares has turned anger and sorrow into action. And now, in the wake of another pandemic, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS remains the philanthropic heart of Broadway. As the nation and the nation's theaters emerge from a devastating 15 months with hundreds of thousands still in crisis, Broadway Cares' commitment has never wavered from ensuring that those in need get groceries and medication, health care and hope.

Broadway Cares has turned to Charitybuzz for more than a decade to help unlock vital unrestricted funding - including throughout the pandemic. In partnership with Broadway Cares and hundreds of other non-profit organizations, Charitybuzz continues to offer customers the most incredible experiences, unmatched access, and exclusive items through its impact marketplace.

Charitybuzz and Christie's are collaborating to bring collectors and fans globally this special opportunity to bid on these Hirschfeld prints and generate meaningful impact. This partnership was conceived and brokered by The Erlick Group, a leading, New York-based entertainment sponsorship agency since 1992.