Gingold Theatrical Group (David Staller, Artistic Director) is proud to announce that Bonhams and Turner Classic Movies (TCM) will present A Celebration of Robert Osborne, an auction of more than 400 posters and memorabilia from the estate of the beloved Turner Classic Movies host. Aside from the collection of rare posters, the sale, which will take place June 13th at Bonhams New York (580 Madison Avenue), will feature Bette Davis's personal Sarah Siddons Award, letters, film props, contracts, and theatre and film ephemera will be available. These items come from the personal collections of Robert Osborne and David Staller.
Highlights from the collection will be on preview at Bonhams New York from June 11th and a two-week online-only sale of additional lots from the estate will follow beginning on June 14th. The proceeds from the sale of the posters will benefit Gingold Theatrical Group, while TCM will donate its proceeds from the sale to The Film Foundation.
Highlights from the collection include:
• Bette Davis's personal Sarah Siddons award (estimate: $10,000-15,000)
• Working script pages from Gone with the Wind (estimate: $1,000-2000)
• A rare one-sheet poster of Gilda (estimate: $20,000-30,000), the very first poster Osborne ever bought
• A pristine one-sheet of Preston Sturges's Sullivan's Travels (estimate: $8,000-12,000)
• A one sheet of Rebecca (estimate: $4,000-5000) featuring haunting portraits of Laurence Olivier and Joan Fontaine
• A one sheet of Laura (estimate: $6,000-7000)
• A large collection of signed photos, letters, and telegrams of Noel Coward, Cole Porter, and Clifton Webb from the personal collection of David Staller
"Robert and I collected individually and together from our earliest years," says Staller, "so when we joined forces and began to collect together we gifted each other with an astonishing array of items we enjoyed sharing. That equaled 26 years of hunting for treasures. Most of my collection had been stage-based and most of Roberts was, of course, about film. He was particularly adamant about using the sale of the posters to create a fund for Gingold Theatrical Group as he'd been an ardent supporter from our founding the company in 2006."
"For more than 22 years, Robert was the heart and soul of TCM, and was seen as the connective link between our fans and the classic films they love," said Jennifer Dorian, General Manger TCM. "With the sale of Robert's beloved posters and iconic film memorabilia, fans have the opportunity to once again connect with our beloved host and share a piece of his personal passion for classic film."
Dr. Catherine Williamson, director of Entertainment Memorabilia at Bonhams, worked with Osborne in 2014 when he consigned 50 posters from his collection to that year's TCM auction "There's No Place Like Hollywood." "He loved the directness, the clarity of a vintage Hollywood poster. You knew what you were getting when you looked at a one sheet from Hollywood's Golden Age, whether it was a comedy, a musical, a romance, or a western," said Williamson. As they went through his collection together, he told her of browsing the Hollywood poster shops religiously during his early years in Hollywood, never paying more than $25 for a poster, and often spending less than $1.
Inspired by the artistry and activism of George Bernard Shaw, the Gingold Theatrical Group creates theatre and theatre-related programs that promote Shaw's humanitarian ideals including universal human rights, the freedom of thought and speech, and the equality of all living beings. Programs include full Off-Broadway productions as part of the Shaw New York annual festival, the Project Shaw monthly reading series, outreach and education programs, as well as the cultivation of new plays through GTG's Speakers' Corner writers' group. All of GTG's programming is designed to inspire lively discussion and peaceful activism with issues related to human rights, the freedom of speech, and individual liberty. This was the purpose behind all of Shaw's work and why GTG chose him as the guide toward helping create a more tolerant and inclusive world through the exploration of the Arts. Gingold Theatrical Group is named for actress and Shaw enthusiast Hermione Gingold, a long-time friend of GTG Founding Artistic Director, David Staller.
Founded in 2006 by David Staller, GTG has carved a permanent niche for the work of George Bernard Shaw within the social and cultural life of New York City, and, through the Project Shaw reading series made history in 2009 as the first company ever to present performances of every one of Shaw's 65 plays (including full-length works, one-acts and sketches). GTG brings together performers, critics, students, academics and the general public with the opportunity to explore and perform Shaw's work and to create new work based on the values that Shaw championed. Through performances, symposiums, educational programs, new play development, and outreach, GTG encourages all people to rejoice in the possibilities of the future.
Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world's largest and most renowned auctioneers, offering fine art and antiques, motor cars and jewelry. The main salerooms are in London, New York, Los Angeles and Hong Kong, with auctions also held in Knightsbridge, Edinburgh, Paris, San Francisco and Sydney. With a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 22 countries, Bonhams offers advice and valuation services in 60 specialist areas. For a full list of forthcoming auctions, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, please visit bonhams.com
