LYNBROOK, N.Y. – A 1966 U.S. concert tour program signed by all four Beatles, a selection of mid-20th century dummy models from the renowned ventriloquist Edgar Bergen, a pair of Eames leather benches from the IBM Pavilion at the 1964 New York World’s Fair and a group of early 20th century magic lantern baseball slides will all be sold March 19th by Philip Weiss Auctions.

They’re just some of the 700-plus lots that will come up for bid starting at 10 a.m. Eastern time in Philip Weiss Auctions’ showroom, at 74 Merrick Road in Lynbrook. The auction will feature militaria, World’s Fair collectibles, rock ‘n’ roll, historical items, advertising and Hollywood memorabilia. Internet bidding will be facilitated by LiveAuctioneers.com and Proxibid.com.

Beatles merchandise continues to attract huge attention at auction, where items fetch dizzying prices. In addition to the U.S. concert tour program, titled “Beatles (U.S.A.) Ltd.” and signed on the cover by the group, the sale will also feature a Beatles at Shea Stadium concert movie poster (with The Three Stooges) and a lobby card set from their smash 1964 film A Hard Day’s Night.

Edgar Bergen (1903-1978) was an American actor, comedian and radio performer, best known for ventriloquism and the characters Charlie McCarthy and Mortimer Snerd. He is also the father of actress Candice Bergen. The collection of mid-20th century dummy models from Mr. Bergen’s ventriloquism act will no doubt spark bidding wars amongst the throngs of assembled collectors.

The pair of leather benches from the 1964 World’s Fair in New York City would be an expected top lot even if they weren’t made by the renowned Mid-Century Modern designers Charles and Ray Eames. But they were, a fact that only elevates the benches’ cache and desirability. Eames furnishings, mostly made of leather and plywood for Herman Miller, are highly collectible today.

The magic lantern was an early type of image projector that employed pictures on sheets of glass (or slides). It was developed in Europe in the 17th century, for educational purposes, but when it arrived in the U.S. around 1920, it became popular with entertainers and magicians. The amazing collection of baseball glass lantern slides being sold features many baseball stars from that era.

Military items up for bid will feature the final part of the Robert E. (Bob) Lee estate, including Civil War-era pistols, military pins, buttons and more. Also sold will be a selection of Civil War images and artifacts from an upstate New York collection, plus a collection of military helmets, World War I posters (British, American, Russian), historical documents, autographs and letters.

Rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia will include a large collection of signed guitars, by stars such as Bon Jovi, KISS, The Eagles, Guns n’ Roses, B.B. King and Les Paul. Hollywood items will feature an archive of signed Grace Kelly memorabilia, Marilyn Monroe lobby cards, an Andy Warhol audio tape archive, Broadway window cards (1950s-1970s), and movie photos and negatives.

An outstanding collection of more than 75 tin advertising signs will include examples for Old Overholt Whiskey, Freestone Whiskey, Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance, Wadsworth Watch Cases, Old Style Lager, the City of New York Fire Insurance, Providence Washington Insurance, Velvet Tobacco and others. Additional antique advertising signs will also come under the gavel.

Advertising tins will feature a collection of early Huntley & Palmer biscuit tins. Also sold will be framed 19th and early 20th century celebrity posters and images from the famous Bill Gay 90’s Restaurant in New York City, additional items from the John Panza ice cream collection, a contractor's NASA lunar module spaceship, motorcycle memorabilia, scarce books and first editions, leather bindings, a group of mint Mountblanc pens, plus fountain pens and other pens.

Philip Weiss Auctions’ next big sale after this one will be on Wednesday, April 20th, also in the Lynbrook gallery. Sold will be stamps, coins, postcards and ephemera, with the headliner being the “Long Island Hoard,” a 50-year stamp collection representing the best of the best in philately. It is expected to eclipse the sale of the Chesapeake Collection, which grossed over $350,000.

Philip Weiss Auctions is always accepting quality consignments for future auctions. To consign a single item, an estate or a collection, you may call them at (516) 594-0731; or, you can send an e-mail to Philip Weiss at Phil@WeissAuctions.com. For more information about Philip Weiss Auctions and the upcoming March 19th and April 20th auctions, visit www.WeissAuctions.com.

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