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Sale 14
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Lot 1779
Sinatra Lighter from Phil Silvers. Frank Sinatra was known for his generosity and caring nature. If a friend admired the cufflinks Sinatra was wearing, he would probably receive his own pair in a day or two. Time and again, the Chairman came through for people in need -- paying hospital bills, making sure a musician had rent money, comforting friends through a loss. He was generous but didn't like to be thanked directly, and his intimates took that to heart.
The lot offered here is a token of gratitude given to Frank by one of his great friends, Phil Silvers. The men were buddies at MGM and went on a successful USO tour together; Silvers cowrote "Nancy with the Laughing Face," in honor of little Nancy Sinatra. The bonds of their friendship, as well as Sinatra's loving nature, are illustrated by the story behind this beautiful, 2½" long Dunhill lighter.
When planning for the USO tour, Silvers taught Sinatra several burlesque numbers he had perfected with his comedy partner, Rags Ragland. The two then played the bits to great acclaim, especially "My Buddy": Frank enters, singing "My Buddy" ("Days are long since you went away…"); Silvers interrupts, enveloping Sinatra in a big bear hug while exclaiming, "Yes, my friends, there is no truer love than the love between a man and his friend! Yes, you heard me, I said love! I am not ashamed to say I love this boy!" Silvers follows that up with a big kiss, which gets a "look" from Sinatra, who then starts the song again from the top. Silvers cuts in again, with, "Yes, my friends! I'll shout it from the rooftops! I am not ashamed of my love for this boy! This is a good boy, and I love this boy! I, Phil Silvers, love this boy!" Another big kiss and a big smile from Silvers. Sinatra stares at him, waiting, and then starts the song again: "Days are long since you went away…", still waiting. Silvers just stands there, smiling, with Sinatra watching warily. Then, the payoff: Frank grabs Phil and plants a big kiss on his cheek.
In 1946, just a short while after Silvers and Sinatra returned from the USO tour, Phil Silvers and Rags Ragland were booked at the Copacabana. When Rags suddenly fell ill, Sinatra made sure he was admitted to Cedars Hospital. When Rags passed on, Phil and Frank were by his side. Though distraught, Silvers was a showbiz trouper and went to New York for the shows at the Copa. The first night of the booking, as he sat in his dressing room wondering what to do, Silvers heard the door open - and a voice. "Hi. What do we open with?" Sinatra, in the middle of a movie shoot in California, had flown to New York to be with Silvers on opening night. The two proceeded to do the old burlesque routines, including "My Buddy." At the end of the night, Silvers took a bow for Rags.
Phil Silvers knew not to thank his friend, not to gush over the gesture or cry on his shoulder, but he needed to show Sinatra how much he loved and appreciated him.
The lighter he had customized for Frank is engraved "FS" on the top and has the opening bars to "My Buddy" picked out in silver musical notes accented by diamonds and sapphires. More valuable then the gemstones, though, is the inscription in gold: "I'm not ashamed of my love for this boy - Phil".
Frank gave Tony O this lighter after reminiscing about Silvers and the old routines. The lighter itself has been appraised at over $1500, based on the gems and the custom work, but the story about Sinatra coming through for his friend adds the weight of emotion to the piece and makes it impossible to estimate a true value.
Estimated Value $3,000 - 5,000.
From the Collection of Tony Oppedisano.
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| Realized $8,453 |
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