Julien’s Auctions, the world’s premier entertainment and celebrity estate auction house raised over $1 million this weekend at the Collection of Tony Curtis auction held at Julien’s Auctions Beverly Hills gallery on Saturday, September 17, 2011. The Pre-sale estimate on the collection was $500,000.  The standing room only crowd spent the entire day and early evening bidding on some of the actor’s Hollywood memorabilia and collectible art along with extraordinary antiques and original paintings. It was a rare glimpse into the life of Hollywood’s most colorful star, Tony Curtis. The rare Hollywood star whose off-screen character was often more sensational than his on-screen one, lived a life that could be its own movie or television series.  Curtis’ career spanned six decades with popularity during the 1950s and 1960s enabling him to transpose his good looks into super movie stardom.  He acted in over 100 films ranging from light comedy to serious drama and he also made numerous television appearances.  A portion of the proceeds from the auction will benefit Shiloh Horse Rescue, a charitable organization founded by Jill and Tony Curtis that rescues and rehabilitates abused, neglected and slaughter-bound horses of all types.

Highlights of the auction included the Andy Warhol “Some Like It Hot” shoe lithograph signed by Warhol to Tony Curtis (circa 1955) which sold for $53,125, the “Some Like it Hot” Yachtsman Jacket worn by Curtis in the famous film which sold for $46,875 and a signed Marc Chagall colored lithograph which was in Curtis’ art collection sold for $23,125. Other highlights included two Pablo Picasso earthenware vases which sold for $20,625, Tony Curtis’ Hollywood Walk of Fame plaque which sold for $10,000, a Kennedy-Johnson inaugural sterling silver cigarette case which sold for $6,875 and a vintage Eames lounge chair and ottoman which sold for $16,250. 

About Julien's Auctions
With expertise specializing in entertainment and celebrity estate auctions, Julien’s Auctions has quickly established themselves as the premier auction house in high profile celebrity and entertainment auctions. Julien’s Auctions presents exciting, professionally managed and extremely successful auctions with full color high quality auction catalogues unlike any other auction company.  Previous auctions include the collections of Cher, U2, Barbara Streisand, the estate of Marilyn Monroe and many more. Official website is www.juliensauctions.com