BEVERLY HILLS, CA.- Julien’s Auctions, the world’s premier celebrity and entertainment auction house announced highlights of this weekend’s auction event of the Estate of Bob and Dolores Hope and the Estate of Phyllis Diller. The three day event brought in higher than expected estimates on items offered from both collections including memorabilia, antiques, art and personal effects. Bidders from around the globe bid fast and furiously on-site, online and on the phone.
As many know, Bob Hope and Phyllis Diller were life-long friends. Diller attributed her success to Bob Hope who often had her appear on his television program and tours along with his films. Bob Hope was one of the world’s most prolific entertainers with a career that spanned more than 60 years and included vaudeville, radio, film and television. Often referred to as “Mr. Entertainer,” Hope was a comedian, actor, singer, dancer and author, although he preferred to be known as a great golfer. Phyllis Diller is known as the First Lady of Stand-Up Comedy, paving the way for numerous other female comedians who attribute their success to her. The pop culture icon and comedian was known for decades of her self-deprecating humor. In the 1960s her fame skyrocketed after appearing on several of Hope’s television specials, USO tours and three films. Her signature blonde wig, long cigarette holder and loud cackling laugh has yet to be duplicated giving her a place in comedic history as the first female trailblazer of her time.
Highlights of the Estate of Bob & Dolores Hope auction included a George/Green Japanned Parcel-Gilt Bureau estimated to sell for $50,000 which ultimately brought $168,000. Other highlights included a Viennese Enamel Ewer and Charger which sold for $22,500, an original lithograph depicting a portrait of Picasso’s muse Francoise (Pablo Picasso 1881-1973) which sold for $21,250, a portrait of a clown signed “Red Skelton” which sold for $10,880, a Tony Bennett watercolor on paper, signed, which sold for $10,625 and a Dulio Barnade signed oil on canvas (Italian, 1914-1961) which sold $10,000.
Other highlights include a Tony Bennett oil painting on canvas of a still life vase of flowers which sold for $10,000, a Bob Hope People’s Choice Award which sold for $7,500, a John F. Kennedy Inscribed photograph to Bob Hope which sold for $6,080, Bob Hope’s partner’s desk which sold for $7,680 and a pair of Terracotta carved putti figures which sold for $5,000.
Highlights of the Collection of Phyllis Diller auction included a Cow, color screenprint on wallpaper, signed and inscribed “H.B. P.D.” (Happy Birthday, Phyllis Diller) Signed, Love Andy Warhol ’83 which sold for $43,750, a set of 13 Salvadore Dali lithographs of which 12 were signed by the artist sold for $11,875, a portrait of Bob Hope sold for $16,250, the Phyllis Diller Spotlight painting of a stage and curtains drawn and a shining spotlight from the foyer of her house sold for $10,625 and Phyllis Diller’s directors chair sold for$3,437.
Other Diller highlights included several pieces of Phyllis Diller’s Louis Vuitton’s luggage which sold collectively for $22,112, a Phyllis Diller original painting sold for $4,062, a black and white photograph of Phyllis Diller and Barbra Streisand from the 1960s taken backstage in New York sold for $3,437, a Ronald Reagan letter and telegraph to Phyllis Diller sold for $3,750 and a collection of Phyllis Diller gold-tone costume jewelry sold for $3,125.
