Lot 657
Bogart, Humphrey - Monogrammed Cigarette Case/Lighter. Chromed combination cigarette case/lighter by Ronson, 4¼" high by 2½" wide by ½" deep, with "HB" monogrammed on the front center. The lighter was given as a gift to Claire Gaynor by Gordon Bau, who was head of makeup for Warner Bros. The story of how Mr. Bau obtained the lighter from Humphrey Bogart is written in a letter by Ms. Gaynor, which is included with the lighter/case. In part: "…Gordon was a guest at an auction given by members of the Motion Picture Industry to raise money for charity. Bogart was there and Gordon went over to say hello. Bogart offered Gordon a cigarette. At that moment some people came over and surrounded Bogart. He handed the case to him - without thinking Gordon put it in his pocket. The next day when Gordon called to say he had the lighter/case he was told Bogart was out of town. It was several months before he got in touch with Bogart who told him to keep the lighter. With typical Bogart humor he suggested that Gordon try to acquire some more lighters - including a gold lighter used by one of the top studio executives…."
Estimated Value $1,500 - 2,000.
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| Realized $1,725 |
