1939 'Wizard of Oz' concept art, key influence on famous film, crosses auction block
The First Art Newspaper on the Net    Established in 1996 Tuesday, November 12, 2024


1939 'Wizard of Oz' concept art, key influence on famous film, crosses auction block
A Pre-Production Concept Painting by Jack Martin Smith from "The Wizard of Oz." Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1939.



BEVERLY HILLS, CA.- Two original pre-production concept paintings from "The Wizard of Oz," (MGM, 1939) both done by artist Jack Martin Smith before any sets were built for the classic film (estimate: $8,000+ each), will offer collectors and fans of the film alike the chance of a lifetime — to own a prime piece of the legacy of the most influential film ever made — when they are sold in Heritage Auctions' April 18 Heritage Auctions' Entertainment & Music Memorabilia Signature® Auction in Beverly Hills.

"Anything associated with 'The Wizard of Oz' is special," said Margaret Barrett, Director of Entertainment & Music auctions at Heritage, "but these paintings are not just linked to the most extraordinary film of all time, they're simply exceptional pieces of art, too."

The first concept painting, rendered in somber shades of teal blue, dark gray, and white (with the exception of Dorothy's light blue dress), depicts the five main characters of the film, Dorothy, Toto, the Tin Man, the Scarecrow and the Cowardly Lion as they're first meeting the Wizard. The second concept painting, rendered mostly in shades of teal blue and forest green with small areas of peach and white highlights, depicts a man riding a horse and buggy set against the fantastical background of Emerald City, possibly the "Horse of a different color" scene.

The legacy of John Wayne continues to be golden, helped in part by the quality and quantity of good memorabilia associated with the great actor. This auction features a fresh-to-market John Wayne eye patch from the film "Rooster Cogburn" (Universal, 1975) (estimate: $6,000+), one of many worn by Duke throughout the film as he portrayed the title character alongside Katharine Hepburn. The patch comes originally from Hollywood cameraman Owen Marsh, who was given it by a prop master he was working with on another film when Marsh injured himself on-set. Fans of Duke will also appreciate a John Wayne gifted coffee mug from ""Donovan's Reef" (Paramount, 1963) (estimate: $800+), originally gifted by the actor to actor Charles Seel, who portrayed Grand Uncle Sedley Atterbury Pennyfeather in the last film that Wayne and director John Ford worked on together.

Director James Whale is a Hollywood legend for his work on "Frankenstein" (Universal, 1931) and "Bride of Frankenstein" (Universal, 1935), but he was also renowned for his work as a painter. To that effect, the auction features a 1952 James Whale oil painting depicting the Rue Du Bac in Paris (estimate: $5,000+). Whale's love of painting was a central theme in the 1989 Lionsgate film "Gods and Monsters," which focused on the director's later life.

Further highlights include, but are not limited to:

A Jennifer Lawrence screen-worn costume from "Silver Linings Playbook," (The Weinstein Company, 2012): The outfit worn by the actress as "Tiffany" in the climactic dance contest scene at the end of the film where she and Bradley Cooper as "Pat" happily don't win. Lawrence would win an Academy Award® for the performance. Estimate: $2,000+.

A Frank Sinatra-Gifted "Ronald Reagan Inauguration" Silver-Plated Cigarette Box, 1981: Engraved with the same text that was on the original invitation for the Presidential Inauguration, which took place on Jan. 20, 1981, further engraved "Thank you / F.S.," inside. Commissioned by Sinatra to give to VIPs who attended this historic event; this one in particular gifted to his executive assistant of 30+ years, Dorothy Uhlemann. Estimate: $1,600+.

A script from "The Valley of the Dolls" (20th Century Fox, 1967): Screenplay by Dorothy Kingsley, dated "January 6, 1967," marked "Final," 130 pages, numerous colored script change pages throughout; from one of the campiest films ever made starring Susan Hayward, Patty Duke, Barbara Parkins, and the beautiful Sharon Tate. Estimate: $1,200+.

A Marilyn Monroe Signed Baggage Claim Stub, 1950s: From United Air Lines, signed in blue ballpoint ink on the front "Marilyn Monroe." The current owner's father was a baggage handler for the airline in the 1950s where he obtained this autograph in person from the star as she was walking from the tarmac onto the plane. Estimate: $800+.










Today's News

April 9, 2015

Christie's to offer one of the most important works by Jean Dubuffet still in private hands

Iconic photographic series dating from 1982-84 by Richard Prince on view at Nahmad Contemporary

Neil MacGregor to step down as Director of the British Museum at the end of 2015

Antik A.S. to present Turkish and Ottoman sale including paintings of Istanbul by leading Turkish artists

Cantor's collection of Jacob Lawrence's work, among the largest in any museum, goes on view

World-class Bloch Art Collection will be on permanent view in renovated galleries at the Nelson-Atkins

Early opening for Cincinnati Art Museum new exhibition, Up at Bat: Warhol and Baseball

1939 'Wizard of Oz' concept art, key influence on famous film, crosses auction block

SP-ARTE continues to expand its presence and reach with participating galleries from around the world

Doreen Bolger announces retirement after 17 years as Director of the Baltimore Museum of Art

Morphy's West Coast Automobile Auction debut set for April 25 in Las Vegas

New-York Historical Society to unveil conserved Picasso curtain for 'Le Tricorne'

New Rubin Museum of Art exhibition features nearly 100 masks and costumes from diverse cultures

Bonhams offers magnificent incense burner by Japanese master

Exhibition of fourteen oil on canvas works by David Ligare on view at Hirschl & Adler Modern

China turns Nationalist veterans from outcasts to propaganda heroes

Islamic Art Week announced at Christie's London, to be held 21-24 April 2015

Solo exhibition of new works by Enrique Martínez Celaya opens at L.A. Louver

Enamel jewellery: From mannerism to modern times on view at Carl Weishaupt

Mot International in London opens exhibition of works by Liu Ding

High Museum of Art commissions immersive, monumental installation by Michael Lin

Interactive exhibition creates new dynamic at the Nelson-Atkins

Heritage Auctions again expands in New York




Museums, Exhibits, Artists, Milestones, Digital Art, Architecture, Photography,
Photographers, Special Photos, Special Reports, Featured Stories, Auctions, Art Fairs,
Anecdotes, Art Quiz, Education, Mythology, 3D Images, Last Week, .

 



Founder:
Ignacio Villarreal
(1941 - 2019)
Editor & Publisher: Jose Villarreal
Art Director: Juan José Sepúlveda Ramírez
Writer: Ofelia Zurbia Betancourt

Royalville Communications, Inc
produces:

ignaciovillarreal.org juncodelavega.com facundocabral-elfinal.org
Founder's Site. Hommage
to a Mexican poet.
Hommage
       

The First Art Newspaper on the Net. The Best Versions Of Ave Maria Song Junco de la Vega Site Ignacio Villarreal Site
Tell a Friend
Dear User, please complete the form below in order to recommend the Artdaily newsletter to someone you know.
Please complete all fields marked *.
Sending Mail
Sending Successful