At the Movies

Instead of focusing on a single film today, I am sharing with you an entertaining auction of a film star’s notable collection. Douglas Fairbanks Jr. was a man of many talents. Although he hadn’t intended to be an actor, considering his heritage and circumstances, it was difficult to avoid. The star of many classic films including Little Caesar, The Prisoner of Zenda and Gunga Din, he also had a distinguished military career, was involved in post war humanitarian efforts as chairman of the fund-raising committee for CARE, had a brief yet famous marriage to Joan Crawford as well as a dazzling social life, counting both Hollywood stars and European royalty as friends.

On September 13, Doyle New York, will be auctioning his estate, including an eclectic assortment of memorabilia, furniture, photographs, books etc. It’s worth perusing as a collection representing a life well lived. It’s quite a large selection including many seemingly reasonably priced items. I quite like this pair of George III painted library armchairs.

He must have had an enormous library because there are many sets of volumes with fine bindings like this set of Wilde, Boswell & Kipling. Designers looking to fill clients’ empty bookcases will be thrilled!

I think these antique sterling silver match safes are so charming. They’re very well priced and could make a marvelous gift for that certain someone who has everything.

For the dapper gentleman in your life, this platinum, gold, cabochon turquoise and diamond dress set would be the ultimate accessory.

Don’t you think this group of canes (or as I would rather think of them – walking sticks) would looks fabulous in a huge standing ginger jar in a country house?

It’s quite a large auction filled with all variety of ephemera – rather a hodge podge, but certainly with some hidden treasures!

And for all you regulars, it wouldn’t be At the Movies without a clip, so please enjoy the trailer for Gunga Din, the George Stevens classic that inspired Indiana Jones!

19 thoughts on “At the Movies

  1. Phenomenal. We just don’t live as glamorously these days. I asked my friend Sonny, who is 75 if it was really like that and she laughed and replied “it was even more than you can imagine”–sigh.

  2. He was definitely one of my moms all time favorites. I may have to look into the auction, as the idea of a lot of books up for sale caught my attention ( will be needing them to fill shelves) Thanks for the heads up..happy Friday!

  3. How fabulous! Such a guy. I just watched Gunga Din the other afternoon during the storm. It is such a pleasure to own a piece of history like this. Perhaps I can slide in to see the preview.

  4. Gosh, he’s hot isn’t he!!! Do you think if a man today wore that kind of mustache he’d look as good? I remember seeing him in a movie when I was in high-school. It was black & white of course and this was before cable television, so it was on some random channel and there was no ‘guide’ on tv to see what it was called. I still don’t know the name, but that was my first intro to him and i couldn’t forget his ‘sexiness’ (what other word can i use?). And I have purchased from Doyle before, they are a great auction house. thanks for bringing this to light. I want those cufflinks & studs for myself! :)

  5. Fairbanks was elegance personified, so it comes as no surprise to see that he had possessions to match his personality. I love to catch his movies, although perhaps I like those of Douglas Fairbanks, Sr., even more.

  6. Thank you so much for posting about this. Reminds me of the days of driving by The Pickford Estate In Rancho Santa Fe, which is now developed into Fairbanks Ranch! This auction must be amazing!

    xoxo
    Karena

    Art by Karena

  7. I’d love to see it all, such glamour. Where do you suppose these things have been all this time? I don’t think I’ve seen this movie. Between DF and my Cary Grant (yes MY) I know I would enjoy it. They both looks so darned handsome!

  8. i saw the catalogue for this a few weeks ago, and it’s all marvelous stuff. and such a great variety. lots of elegant dinner jackets, and then some lilly pulitzer bits.

  9. After I saw Gone with the Wind
    in middle school, I was smitten
    with Clark Gable…..who is a very
    similar “type” to D.F., don’t you
    think? It would be fabulous if a
    company that buys period finds for
    movie sets were to snap some of
    this wonderful collection up. Love
    those classy stars of old!!
    xx Suzanne

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