Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 105

June 30 - July 1 2018 Manuscript, Space and Collectibles Sale

Celebrity/Entertainment Memorabilia

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 233		Frank Capra; Acclaimed, Award Winning Film Director's Personal Desk (1897-1991) One of America's most influential directors during the 1930s, winning three Oscars from his six nominations as Best Director, along with three other Oscar wins from nine nominations in other categories. IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT, MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON, the incredible production, LOST HORIZON, YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU, LADY FOR A DAY and THE BITTER TEA OF GENERAL YEN have all stood the test of time and now all considered film classics. The 1940s brought MEET JOHN DOE and then his incredible contribution to the war effort along with other Hollywood Directors in creating propaganda and inspiring films for millions of moviegoers during one of America's most critical times. Serving in the U.S. Army Signal Corps he produced the WHY WE FIGHT SERIES. The Netflix documentary Five Came Back addresses this period beautifully. After the war, he directed his most famous film, IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE. Offered is Frank Capra's personal leather-top desk. Outside shipping required, for which we can recommend Los Angeles' best and most reasonable. Estimate Value $750 - UP From the estate of Frank Capra; comes with COA from Tom Capra. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $900
Lot 234		Frank Capra's 16mm Portable Movieola Model LVR and SVE Instructor 1000 35mm Projector. Two personal pieces of film equipment owned by acclaimed director, Frank Capra. 1.) 16mm Movieola Model LVR. These models were originally made for the US Army and network news operations for fast edit of footage in the fields. An internal prism provides light, high speed viewing, forward and reverse and is portable. The Moieola appears to be in working order as the belts move, bulb illuminates gears operate. Also has two spare bulbs and a fuse. 2.) From the early 1950's, Capra's SVE Instructor 1000 35 mm slide projector. The bulb illuminates, fans operate and it sends out an incredibly bright light. Also a phenomenal example of early 1950's mid-century industrial design, a winner visually just being displayed. Movieola close to 35 pounds, the silide projector 20 pounds, so we recommend Continental US buyers only. Probably due to use, both carrying strap handles are torn on the Movieola (easly replaced/repaired) and missing on slide projector. Estimate Value $250 - UP From the estate of Frank Capra; comes with COA from Tom Capra. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $360
Lot 235		Frank Capra's Art Deco Pottery by French Master, Robert Lallemant; 3 Pieces. From the office and home of acclaimed director Frank Capra, three pieces of art deco pottery by acclaimed ceramicist, Robert Lallemant Pottery from France, ca. 1930s. First an exquisitely designed single candlestick meant to hold at minimum a 1" diameter candlestick. Signed under base, T R Lallemant, France, no chips or cracks, just wax residue in reservoir. Although the other two pieces are unsigned, the glaze matches perfectly the candle stick. The tall vase is 11 x 5 x 3" and indeed shows use as a vase. We note no cracks, chips or repairs, just hard water stains inside base. The cache pot, 5 x 5 x 8" has one small chip in corner and some light water staining, as it too must have been used for flowers. Lallemant pottery is quite prized. Estimate Value $250 - UP From the estate of Frank Capra; comes with COA from Tom Capra. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $288
Lot 236		Frank Capra's Travel Wallet, With His Passport and International Certificate of Vaccination. Hollywood legend and acclaimed film director, Frank Capra's last passport, issued in 1985. He died in 1991, four years before the passport expired and there are no stamps from any trips. With Capra's certificate of vaccination showing that he was revaccinated in 1973. Both the passport and the certificate have original signatures by Capra. Both items are accompanied by Capra's handsome travel wallet (Rolfs Cowhide) with separate compartments for passport, foreign currency, dollars, travel checks, and tickets. Estimate Value $750 - UP From the estate of Frank Capra; comes with COA from Tom Capra. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $928
Lot 237		From Frank Capra's Office: His Letterbox and a Medieval Fragment. Capra's handcrafted wooden letterbox, which sat on his desk, is 13¼" long x 6¼" x 6¼" deep, stamped "S.M. Rekopo…Jugoslavia" on bottom with small inner compartment. Also from Capra's office is a medieval fragment, 3 x 8¼", that hung on his wall; it is housed in an old chipped wooden frame, 8¼ x 12¾". Estimate Value $200 - UP From the estate of Frank Capra; comes with COA from Tom Capra. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $640
Lot 238		Giacomo Meyerbeer -- The German Opera Composer 's Autograph Letter Signed to Librettist Michel Carré, Mentioning Jules Barbier. Autograph letter signed "Meyerbeer," one page, in French, 8½ x 5½", Berlin, Jan. 5, 1861. Written to Michel Carré, the librettist who, with Jules Barbier, wrote the libretto for Meyerbeer's 1859 opéra comique, "Dinorah" (formerly "Le pardon de Ploërmel"). In part, Meyerbeer writes that Mr. Barbier had announced last month that he was sending the manuscript. Before answering him, Meyerbeer wanted to wait for the arrival of the manuscript but he still hasn't received it even though M. Brandai said that he would receive M. Carré's poem. Without the manuscript Meyerbeer can't answer whether he likes the work or not but as soon as he receives it, he will immediately give his opinion. The letter is boldly written and signed; it is affixed to a larger page. Estimate Value $250 - UP From the estate of Frank Capra; comes with COA from Tom Capra. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $154
Lot 239		Important & Rare Liberty Films Contract Signed by Frank Capra, William Wyler & George Stevens "It's A Wonderful Life". Liberty Films was a production company initially founded by Frank Capra and Samuel J. Briskin in late 1944. While not the household name that Frank Capra was, Briskin was a very well regarded producer and industry leader, as well as a close friend of Capra's. The production company was initially called Capra-Briskin, and while Capra was still on active duty he set up offices and hired personnel. After the war he incorporated the name Liberty Films, certainly reflective of their patriotism in April of 1945. In July, they persuaded top tier director William Wyler to join and become a partner and by year's end, another great, George Stevens joined. The powerhouse director/producer foursome generated a considerable amount of attention in the industry given the several millions of dollars in capitalization for which the four owners were individually and collectively responsible. The expectations were enormous for these talented industry titans as they set about distribution deals with RKO and others and announced future productions. In November of 1945, the company announced that their first film would be IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE starring James Stewart and Donna Reed, directed and produced by Frank Capra. It was released in December, 1946 and as most fans know, was a failure at the boxoffice and could not recoup the 2.3 million in cost. In light of this distress the partners signed and agreed to this contract. February 3, 1947 Liberty Films Inc. Dear Sirs, In view of the corporation's present need for working capital, and in consideration of the mutual agreements of the four of us, we each agree that we will draw only One Thousand Dollars ($1000.00) per week of our respective contract compensations for the period between January 27, 1947 and July 26, 1947 and that the accrued balance of our salaries for that period shall be paid to us respectively on August 14, 1947, Very Truly Yours (signed) Samuel J. Briskin, Frank Capra, George Stevens, William Wyler. Approved and Accepted, Liberty Films, Inc. by (signed again) Frank Capra. The partners sought a major studio to buy Liberty Films before foreclosure which they found in Paramount Studios. All were given generous shares of Paramount stock, with all three directors earning several picture deals, many of the resulting films very well regarded, including A Place In The Sun, The Heiress and two Bing Crosby hits for Capra. An historic document reflective of only a handful of other attempts at film productions by talent independent of established studios, such as the founding of United Artists in 1919 (Chaplin, Pickford, Fairbanks Sr., Griffith) or in the 1990s DreamWorks Films (Spielberg, Katzenberg, Geffen) Contract is framed and presented along with a copy of the cover of the 12/30/1946 Newsweek "The Return of Jimmy Stewart" a trade announcement "Now In Production IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE" and a black and white reduction of the famous theater poster. Estimate Value $7,500 - UP From the estate of Frank Capra; comes with COA from Tom Capra. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 240		Insignia of the Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity, 1948 -- Presented to Acclaimed Film Director Frank Capra. The Stella della Solidarietà Italiana was founded as a national order of knighthood by the first President of the Italian Republic, Enrico De Nicola, in 1947, to recognize foreign nationals and expatriates who made an outstanding contribution to the reconstruction of Italy after World War II. The green ribbon with a red and white border and no stars denotes the 3rd Class/Knight and is 2¾" long. The insignia is 2 7/8", including the loop. It depicts the Good Samaritan; engraved on the back is "Stella della Solidarietà Italiana Insignia/ Anno MCMXLVIII". It is in the original case from Rome; case shows wear and cover is almost detached. The insignia, made of gilt bronze and enamel, is in excellent condition. Frank Capra's family immigrated to the U.S. from Italy when he was six years old. Estimate Value $100 - UP From the estate of Frank Capra; comes with COA from Tom Capra. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $96
Lot 241		Order of Malta Neck Badge Awarded to Acclaimed Film Director Frank Capra, With Accompanying Material. In 1971, film director John Ford proposed fellow director Frank Capra as a prospective member of The Knights of Malta, the world's oldest surviving chivalric order. Capra was elected to the order on Dec. 8, 1971 and the investiture took place at the Waldorf Astoria on Jan. 17, 1972. The insignia is 5¾" from top of the loop to bottom of the Maltese cross; made of gilt bronze and enamel; with two lapel rosettes. Papers pertaining to Capra's election to the order are also present, including the program for the investiture, the menu, the seating list, Capra's place card, Cardinal Cooke's 1971 Christmas address (there is a stain on the cover), a letter from the Knights of Malta to John Ford following up on Ford's proposal of Frank Capra as a member, and more. The papers are fine overall. The decoration is in excellent condition. Capra served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps during World War II and produced propaganda films. Estimate Value $500 - UP From the estate of Frank Capra; comes with COA from Tom Capra. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $384
Lot 242		Withdrawn	Unsold
Lot 243		Marilyn Monroe - 1954 Nude Calendar. Original calender featuring a nude pose of Marilyn Monroe by Tom Kelley, 15½" x 9½". Titled "Golden Dreams," with "Posed by Marilyn Monroe" printed in the red background. The small 1954 calendar is toned; condition is otherwise fine. Marilyn appeared in the first issue of Playboy magazine in December 1953. Estimate Value $350 - UP View details and enlarged photo	Realized $360
Lot 244		Marilyn Monroe - 1954 Nude Calendar. Original calender featuring a nude pose of Marilyn Monroe by Tom Kelley, 15½" x 9½". Titled "Golden Dreams," with "Posed by Marilyn Monroe" printed in the red background. The small 1954 calendar is toned; condition is otherwise fine. Marilyn appeared in the first issue of Playboy magazine in December 1953. Estimate Value $350 - UP View details and enlarged photo	Realized $348
Lot 245		Marilyn Monroe by Tom Kelley, 1955, 4 Page Calendar with Original Envelope. Marilyn Monroe, the single greatest female Hollywood Icon in film history sharing the top tier with Charlie Chaplin. Tom Kelley, a very accomplished photographer took cheesecake photos of Marilyn in the late 1940s during her burgeoning career as a model. Because of the contract she signed, Kelley felt he had the right to use her images "in perpetuity" which he did on calendars and publications for years. This particular edition is from 1955 and is the "censored" version of the Monroe calendar; it boasts four images of the historic shoot. Extremely well archived over the years, the calendar is near to mint. The envelope is very fine+ with only evidence of handling and small separations. 4 Pages, 8½ x 12½" Very scarce in this condition. Estimate Value $700 - UP View details and enlarged photo	Realized $1,024