Property From the Estate of Hollywood Legend Joan Crawford to be Auctioned on December 7

Crawford Fans Around the World May View the Internet Catalogue and Bid Online

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Nov 29, 2011, 11:58 ET

NEW YORK, Nov. 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- On Wednesday, December 7, Doyle New York will auction property from the estate of one of the biggest stars of Hollywood's Golden Age, Joan Crawford (1908-1977). This historic auction offers film memorabilia, MGM Studios contracts and correspondence, publicity stills, jewelry and a selection of luxurious fur coats and wraps. The items have descended in Ms. Crawford's family and are now being offered at auction to her fans worldwide.

Highlighting the auction is the Cecile B. DeMille Award presented to Joan Crawford for outstanding contributions to the entertainment industry. Estimated at $3,000-5,000, it was presented to her by John Wayne at the Golden Globe Awards ceremony in 1970.

Joan Crawford's fans may also bid on her scrapbooks chronicling a number of her films, including the landmark 1945 film, Mildred Pierce, for which she received the Academy Award for Best Actress. Certain to attract interest are the 1943 letter from MGM Studios detailing the $100,000 buy-out of her contract and an archive of papers relating to her 1962 film, What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, in which she co-starred with Bette Davis.

Jewelry from Ms. Crawford's collection features a gold, diamond, emerald and ruby brooch in the form of a miniature Pepsi bottle estimated at $600-900. Her elegant 1940s gold wristwatch estimated at $1,000-1,500 is inscribed with her name on the reverse.

Joan Crawford was fond of luxurious furs, and the auction offers fourteen lots of coats, stoles and boas in mink, sable and fox with estimates ranging from $200-$1,000.

The public is invited to the exhibition on view from Friday, December 2 through Tuesday, December 6. Doyle New York is located at 175 East 87th Street in Manhattan.

The printed souvenir auction catalogue is available for $20. The free Internet catalogue may be viewed at www.DoyleNewYork.com. Fans around the world may leave absentee bids via the Internet catalogue or register online to bid live at the auction using their computer mouse as an auction paddle.

Through the years, Doyle New York has served the Hollywood community as auctioneers of the estates of such legendary stars as Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Bette Davis, Gloria Swanson, James Cagney, Rock Hudson, Rex Harrison, Ruth Gordon and Lena Horne.

SOURCE Doyle New York