DALLAS, TX.- Recognized as Hollywood royalty, Mexican actress Lupita Tovar, who starred in the 1931 Spanish-language version of Dracula, was a woman of beauty and charm, with exquisite taste in jewelry. Her dazzling retro to mid-century jewelry collection featuring Van Cleef & Arpels and Tiffany & Co. jewelry will be offered to her fans and collectors around the world as part of Heritage Auctions' Jewelry Signature Auction Sept. 25 in Beverly Hills. The star of Santa (1931), Mexico's very first "talkie" (film with sound), was so influential that on the 50th anniversary of the original release of Santa, her likeness appeared on a Mexican postage stamp.

Tovar's collection which the acclaimed actress wore to numerous movie premieres and award shows is highlighted by two beautiful Van Cleef & Arpels items, a Ruby, Diamond, Platinum, Gold Brooch, Van Cleef & Arpels (est. $12,000-15,000) and a Diamond, Platinum Ring, Van Cleef & Arpels (est. $10,000-15,000) which features a sparkling marquise-shaped diamond.

"Lupita Tovar accumulated this amazing collection over decades beginning in the 1930s. When you see photos of her she is so glamourous and striking because of her natural beauty and her taste in jewelry, which includes many of the items offered in this collection," said Gina D'Onofrio, Heritage Auctions Director of Fine Jewelry, Beverly Hills. "She had impeccable taste and her collection includes rings, bracelets and brooches that are remarkable."

Additional pieces of interest include a 3.55-carat European-cut Retro Diamond Synthetic Ruby Platinum Rose Gold Ring (est. $15,000-18,000), a 10.00-carat square-cut Sapphire, Platinum Bracelet (est. $10,000-12,000) and a European-cut Diamond, Platinum Ring (est. $10,000-15,000).

Born at the dawn of the Mexican Revolution, the actress overcame considerable hardships as a young child and at 17 was discovered by the great filmmaker Robert Flaherty and subsequently earned a chance to go to Hollywood. Tovar was working at Universal, dubbing American films into Spanish, when she met her future husband, legendary agent Paul Kohner, who subsequently cast her as "Eva Steward" in the Spanish-language version of Dracula, which was shot concurrently with the famed Bela Lugosi version. Restored and then revived over the past 20 years, the film brought Tovar a large following among film buffs for her sensual portrayal of the film's leading lady.

"She became known when portraying the heroine in the classic Dracula done for the Spanish market, she was every bit a star in her own right in this country and her native Mexico for her many other roles," said Grey Smith, Director of Vintage Posters at Heritage Auctions. "In 2001 she was awarded the Mexican Film Industry's Golden Ariel Award for her lifetime contribution to the great culture of country."

After the success of her first Spanish-language film, La Voluntad del Muerto, Tovar, who was known to many by just her first name, became known as "The Sweetheart of Mexico." Between 1929 and 1945, she appeared in 30 films, both American and Mexican, and at times playing the leading lady for male stars like Henry Fonda, Buster Keaton and Buck Jones. Tovar was also the subject of a portrait by famed Mexican artist Diego Rivera.

Additional Lupita Tovar Collection highlights include:

• Ruby, Diamond, Platinum Ring (est. $8,000-12,000)
• Ruby, Diamond, Platinum, Gold Earrings, Van Cleef & Arpels (est. $7,000-9,000)
• Diamond, Platinum Brooches, Tiffany & Co. (est. $4,000-5,000)
• Diamond, White Gold Pendant (est. $5,000-7,000)