iCollector.com is presenting online viewing of the April 11th, 2018 auction from RR Auction. This auction catalog has over 1000 lots available for viewing with an incredible array of autographs and artifacts available for bidding through the auctioneer. This catalog begins with a featured section of science fiction, fantasy, and horror, exploring these popular genres across Hollywood and literature—from Forrest J. Ackerman’s Frankenstein posters to screen-used Star Trek props to first editions by Asimov, Bradbury, Heinlein, and King. Other top highlights in this sale are: a letter sent by George Washington from West Point during the Revolution; an exceedingly rare Martha Washington autograph letter boasting a presidential free frank; a significant letter by Martin Luther King, Jr., on Jackie Robinson; a fully-signed Beatles Parlophone Records promo card; and letters by renowned photographer Alfred Stieglitz. RR Auction is a globally recognized and trusted auction house specializing in historical autographs and artifacts.
Lot 8 helps kick off the sale with a signed script from 2001: A Space Odyssey. A full description is detailed:
“Brad-bound souvenir script for the 1968 science fiction film 2001: A Space Odyssey, 232 pages, 8.5 x 11, signed on the title sheet in various ink types by Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood, Douglas Trumbull (special photographic effects supervisor), Daniel Richter (the ‘Moonwatcher’), Maggie d’Abo, Anya Kubrick, and Jim Dickson (technical animation specialist). In fine condition. Consignor notes that all of the signatures were obtained at a 40th anniversary screening of the film, “2001 in 2008: A Cinematic Odyssey,” held at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills on May 21, 2008; the event handbill is included and is signed in blue felt tip by Richter, who adds “Moonwatcher.” Douglas Trumbull’s signature is especially significant, as he was responsible for the groundbreaking special photographic effects of not only 2001: A Space Odyssey, but also for landmark sci-fi films Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Star Trek: The Motion Picture, and Blade Runner. The presence of the autograph of Stanley Kubrick’s daughter Anya further elevates this piece; she attended the 40th anniversary screening to represent her father, and sadly passed away a year later.”
Lot 52 is a feature piece from Star Trek. Presented for bidding is William Shatner’s screen worn Epaulettes from Star Trek: The Motion Picture. Valued at up to $7000, the auctioneer describes this piece of history as follows:
” Extremely desirable embroidered Starfleet insignia patch and pair of shoulder epaulettes, worn on screen by William Shatner in his role as James T. Kirk in the 1979 film Star Trek: The Motion Picture. The Starfleet patch measures 1.5 x 2.25 and features the gray upward ‘arrowhead’ symbol against an off-white background; and the two epaulettes, both measuring 3.25 x 1, feature two full gold bullion stripes and one broken stripe against a cream-colored background. The patch and epaulettes were worn on Shatner’s ‘Class B’ Starfleet uniform. In fine condition. Provenance: 40 Years of Star Trek: The Collection, Lot 789, Christie’s, October 5–7, 2006. Accompanied by the original Christie’s catalog, with the reverse of each item affixed with corresponding Christie’s lot label. Designed by Robert Fletcher, the costume designer for the first four Star Trek feature films, this embroidered Starfleet insignia style was only used in the first Star Trek movie. Military insignia associated with Captain Kirk are considered the most desirable of all Star Trek emblems.”
The most valuable item coming through the auction block is a group of four letters from Ernest Hemmigway to his close fried, Guy Hickok. These can be found in the online catalog at Lot 602. RR Auction has presented and exceptional description of these letters as follows:
“Exceptional group of four letters from Hemingway to his close friend Guy Hickok, comprising one ALS, two partial autograph letters, and a one-page TLS. The longest ALS, signed “Ernest,” nine pages on five sheets, May 7, [1931], was written aboard the S.S. Volendam of the Holland-America Line. In part: “When my kidney was being weird had to give up drinking for about 6 weeks but now can drink and have drunk for ever since a year ago last February—I may have made a certain amt. of dough which has all been give away, loaned or spent but I am a son of a bitch if I have become respectable and no later than last winter was forced to sleep all night on the front porch—not being a good size for Pauline to carry up stairs—and on going to church the next morning was supposed to be healed…just because I had bumped into the holy water fount, that I saw the car was standing with the top down and the 3/4 empty bottle very visible (it had been invisible in the dark) in front of the church with the French nameplate to identify it! Don’t want to claim to be a drunk like you but have not become respectable Gros—The reason I didn’t write you about the book is because it is hard enough to write it without writing about it. But listen if you will come down to Madrid you can read it typed…besides which we could see who can drink and who not and see the bullfights—The dope is this…will go to Madrid and work like a bastard on this book until finished—Have 280 some pages done—most to be written over and 1/3 or more to be added—I think you’ll like the damn book.”
He goes on to discuss his travel plans and the repayment of a loan, before discussing an arm injury suffered in Montana: “I couldn’t write then because my arm was still paralyzed. Have only been able to write since 3 weeks. It will be absolutely all right if keep after it. Anyway can shoot, fish and write with it now, but can’t sock anybody.” Here, he sketches a diagram of his arm’s range of motion. Hemingway also provides a sketch of his new home in Key West, pointing out his favorite features, including a “flat roof, see all over town and sea.”
The second, a partial autograph letter in pencil, unsigned, one page both sides, June 18, [1935], in part: “Listen stupid when you get in a money jam why in hell don’t let me know?…God dammit I was always suspicious of that Syndicate job…Gingrich of Esquire is coming here July 3–6 to fish and I will talk to him about your staff.”
The third, a partial autograph letter in pencil, signed “Ernest” and “E. Hemingway [within his address],” one page, no date, in part: “Address here is E. Hemingway, c/o Captain George D. Kreidt, 1437 S.W. 5th Street, Miami, he brings mail on pilot boat once a week. Just got Mary’s letter last night. Don’t be afraid to cash this check as have 438 in bank by latest statement. Also 1000 coming in on July 1.”
The fourth, a TLS signed in pencil, “Hemingstein,” one page, no date, in part: “It was swell to hear from you and thanks the hell of a lot for sending me the 100 bucks. I appreciate it like hell and know how damned hard it is to get money together in chunks as big as that. It came in damned handy because have been writing on this novel since last March First and during that time make no dough. Had seventy four bucks in my bank account when got your hundred.” At the conclusion, Hemingway jots down his Cuban address: “Address, Hotel Ambos Mundos, Havana—Cuba.”
Also includes three letters in another hand (apparently dictated by Hemingway) as well as one unsigned typed letter, frequently referencing loans between the two. In overall very good to fine condition, with tears to the bottom of the typed letter. A young Ernest Hemingway first met the recipient of these letters, Guy Hickok (addressed here as “Gros”) in the early 1920s when they were both acting as foreign correspondents for North American newspapers in Paris. Hemingway, working for the Toronto Star, began what would become an enduring friendship with the good-natured Hickok, who was on assignment for the Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Hickok even provided the inspiration for Hemingway’s short story ‘Che Ti Dice La Patria?’ (collected in Men Without Women, 1927). This fabulous correspondence is congenial, unrestrained, and mildly profane, and lends tremendous insight into Hemingway’s life and work.”
The full catalog is showing on iCollector.com up until April 11th, 2018. Interested bidders can contact the auctioneer through the website to discuss being part of the auction and placing bids. RR Auction carefully prepared this incredible catalog and look forward to sharing these treasures with collectors and historians around the world.