Julien’s Auctions Announces the Golden Closet Collection
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. – (October 12, 2015) – Julien’s Auctions, auction house to the stars, announces Property from the Golden Closet Archives, an unprecedented sale of Hollywood costumes, props and couture. Slated for November 20, 2015, the auction will draw from the rich history of a family renowned for providing costumes to the motion picture and television industry.
Founded in 1996 by Breanna Livie, The Golden Closet has dealt in the sale, consignment and purchase of motion picture,
television and music memorabilia. The company’s esteemed reputation was built on its extraordinary attention to the provenance and preservation of iconic costumes and props from the entertainment industry. Livie established a highly skilled team of researchers, graphic designers and photographers trained in the preservation of Hollywood artifacts. Livie’s life and career have long been intertwined with some of Hollywood’s most seasoned costumers and industry influencers. Her legacy began in the early 1940s, when her grandfather, Charles James, began his career as a security guard at Eagle Lion Studios (Hollywood) and later became a costumer. For the next 50 years, James worked on the sets of such classics as “The Young Lions” with Marlon Brando, “Rio Bravo” with John Wayne and “Love Me Tender” with Elvis Presley.
In 1978, Breanna’s grandparents Charles and Tillie James, along with her father Jim Livie, established one of the first independent motion picture costume companies,
Costume Rentals Corporation (CRC). CRC’s success led Jim Livie to establish Eastern Costume Company in 1990. Collectively the James and Livie families have provided wardrobe to the entertainment industry for nearly 50 years. With film couture in her blood, Breanna Livie founded The Golden Closet to bring some of the most exclusive and sought-after screen-used memorabilia to collectors around the world.
From the Golden Era of Hollywood to today’s blockbuster film and television hits, The Golden Closet will offer an unprecedented array of entertainment memorabilia, including costumes, accessories, props, and costume sketches. The auction will present collectors and fans the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own the most coveted pieces of rare Hollywood history.
Highlights from Property from the Golden Closet Archives include a vast array of some of film’s and television’s most memorable moments. The collection includes, in part,
Will Ferrell’s “Blades of Glory” costume (Estimate: $1,000-$2,000), Patrick Swayze’s “To Wong Foo Thanks For Everything Julie Newman” costume (Estimate: $6,000-$8,000), Paul Reubens’ Pee-wee costume (Estimate: $2,000-$4,000), Brad Pitt’s “Legend of the Fall” pants (Estimate: $800-$1,200), Julie Andrews’ “Victor Victoria” jacket (Estimate: $1,000-$2,000), Michelle Pfeiffer’s “Batman Returns” Catwoman costume (Estimate: $4,000-$6,000), Mike Myers’ “Austin Powers In Goldmember” suit (Estimate: $6,000-$8,000), Bill Murray’s “Tootsie” costume piece (Estimate: $400-$600), Ben Affleck’s “Pearl Harbor” uniform (Estimate: $800-$1,200) and a Sharon Stone “Casino” coat and bodysuit (Estimate: $8,000-$10,000).
Other highlights include a Heath Ledger “Lords of Dogtown” shirt (Estimate: $3,000-$5,000), Tom Hanks “Catch Me If You Can” suit (Estimate: $1,000-$2,000), Leonardo DiCaprio “Catch Me If You Can” prison uniform (Estimate: $1,000-$2,000), a
signature costume from Redd Foxx of “Sanford and Sons” (Estimate: $6,000-$8,000), Rudolph Valentino “Blood and Sand” Suit of Lights (Estimate: $40,000-$60,000), Orson Wells “Citizen Kane” complete suit (Estimate: $20,000-$30,000), Robert Redford’s film used baseball glove from the film “The Natural” (Estimate: $500-$700), Charlton Heston’s head piece from “The Ten Commandments” (Estimate: $20,000-$40,000), and the original “Terminator” prop Longslide handgun used by Arnold Schwarzenegger (Estimate: $10,000-$20,000). One of the most outstanding items to be auctioned includes a 1924 Harold Lloyd Silver Ghost Rolls Royce driven by the chauffer in the 1955 Paramount film “Sabrina and The Comic” starring Humphrey Bogart and Audrey Hepburn (Estimate: $400,000-$600,000).
Other iconic scenes are remembered in a stunning array of costumes from “The Sopranos”, “Happy Days,” “The Dukes Of Hazzard,” and Paul Reubens’ vintage 1960s signature suit from the “Pee-wee Herman” publicity tour (Estimate: $2,000-$4,000) which promoted his Broadway play. Some extraordinary television highlights include a collection of costumes from Norman Lear productions including such memorable hits as “Sanford and Sons,” “All In The Family,” “Married With Children,” “Good Times,” “The Jeffersons” and “Silver Spoons.”
Also included are a collection of vintage studio gowns and costumes including Shelly Winters’ gown worn in “Winchester 73” (designer Yvonne Wood), Yvonne De Carlo gown “Scarlet Angel” (designer Edith Head), Susan Hayward costume from “Where Has Love Gone” (designer Rosemary Odell), William Holden military jacket from “Submarine Command” (designer Edith Head), and Barbara Stanwyck western dress from “The Big Valley” (Various Estimates).
Al Pacino’s prop “Say Hello to My Little Friend” grenade launcher from “Scarface” (Estimate: $20,000-$30,000) is included, along with John Wayne’s gun belt (Estimate: $800-$1,200), Jeff Bridges’ costume from the cult classic “The Big Lebowski” (Estimate: $6,000-$8,000), Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” music video bullets (Estimate: $400-$600), “The Godfather” script (Estimate: $4,000-$6,000), Heather Ledger’s “Lords of Dogtown” shirt (Estimate: $3,000-$5,000), Kevin Costner’s “Wyatt Earp” shirt (Estimate: $1,000-$2,000), Elizabeth Taylor’s “Malice in Wonderland” suit (Estimate: $5,000-$7,000), a Steve McQueen “Enemy of the People” shirt (Estimate: $1,000-$2,000), a Cher worn mini-dress from “The Sonny and Cher” show (Estimate: $2,000-$4,000), a pair of Frank Sinatra boots (Estimate: $1,000-$2,000) and Michael Richard’s “Kramer” jacket from the hit show “Seinfeld” (Estimate: $2,000-$4,000).
Costumes from the Collection Of Bruce Willis will also be represented in the auction including complete costumes worn in “Die Hard 4,” “Tears Of The Sun,” “Bandits,” “The Whole Ten Yards,” “Hostage” and “Perfect Stranger” (Various Estimates). Original costume sketches from some of Hollywood’s most beloved costume designers including Walter Plunkett, William
Travilla, and Norma Kotch will also be offered in the auction along with never before seen original continuity images from Warner Brothers productions (Various Estimates).
“The Collection of The Golden Closet is an amazing story of Hollywood from the Golden Era to the present day,” said Darren Julien, Founder & CEO of Julien’s Auctions. “Some of the greatest film scenes and memorable television hits are represented in this massive collection. We are very excited for this incredible auction in November.”
In addition to the massive assortment of costumes, scripts, props, accessories and other items, The Golden Closet will also present a collection from the hit AMC television series “Mad Men” which includes costumes and props associated with every major character on the show (Various Estimates).
“When we first walked through The Golden Closet in Hollywood it was astonishing,” said Martin Nolan, Executive Director of Julien’s Auctions. “Thousands and thousands of amazing costumes and designs are represented. You can’t help but immediately remember some of your favorite actors and scenes from the movies. This collection will give everyone a bit of nostalgia and an opportunity to relive those true Hollywood moments.”