Yesterday, Julien’s Auctions announced their next event, “The Collection of Bette Midler”, which will be held in Beverly Hills on Saturday, November 12th. The sale of her personal property will include costumes, art, jewelry and more, and will benefit The New York Restoration Project.
Full details as well as on online version of the collector’s print catalog can be found at the official Julien’s Auctions website at www.juliensauctions.com:
Below is an excerpt from the press release from Julien’s Auction:
Julien’s Auctions presents The Collection of Bette Midler to be auctioned on Saturday November 12th, 2011 in Beverly Hills, California.
The Collection of Bette Midler contains over 300 items from her life and career. Midler is one of the few performers instantly known by their first name, and is regarded by all as “The Divine Miss M.” Since her debut album in 1972, she has sold over 30 million records worldwide. Her Oscar-nominated role in “The Rose” established her as a premier actress in motion pictures, and she has conquered the worlds of Broadway, television and the concert stage in a career that spans over 40 years.
Highlights coming to the auction block from the Collection of the Divine Miss M include many of her most famous dresses and costumes. A Bette Midler Cover Dress By Bob De Mora (est. 1,000 – $1,500); featured on the cover of the 1998 album Bathhouse Betty. This dress has since been used in video shoots, photo shoots, and worn by Midler at several live performances. Bette Midler Album Cover Dress (Est. $2000 – $3000) which was featured on the back cover of her 1972 debut album “The Divine Miss M” and subsequently on the front cover of her 1976 album “Songs for the New Depression” is among the offerings.
Also highlighted are Midler’s performance and personal gowns designed by the iconic fashion designer and Hollywood icon, Bob Mackie. These include a Bette Midler Performance Costume by Bob Mackie (Est. $2000 – $3000). Created by Bob Mackie for Midler, worn during the Bette! Devine Madness tour. Midler opened the show in this ensemble singing “Big Noise from Winnetka.” Bette Midler Performance Costume adorned by wonderful feathers and a tail by Bob Mackie and worn by Midler during her Bette! Divine Madness tour (est. $2,000 – $3,000) and a Bette Midler Gown by Bob Mackie worn when she performed “In The Mood” during her Emmy Award winning 1977 NBC television special Ol’ Red Hair Is Back (est. $2,000 – $3,000). As for this gown, Bob Mackie recalls that Midler specifically requested a gown in the color of the Italian liqueur, Galliano. The vivid yellow color of the liqueur was meant to symbolize the Gold Rushes of the 1890s.
Additional choice memorabilia items include Bette Midler’s First Audition Dress (est. $600 – $800), a Bette Midler Evening Gown by Valentino (est. $600 – $800), a Bette Midler Vintage Emilio Pucci Jumpsuit (est. $ 500 – $700), the 2009 Bette Midler Royal Variety Performance Dress (est. $500 – $700), a 1979 Bette Midler Tour Performance Jumpsuit (est. $500 – $700), and several Bette Midler Vegas Showgirl Costumes from “Bette Midler: The Showgirl Must Go On”.
From her trademark mermaid costumes to her infamous flamboyant on-stage persona, the Collection of Bette Midler, offers fans and collectors a rare opportunity to own a piece of music memorabilia and Hollywood history from one of the world’s most popular and entertaining icons.
The items can be viewed at Julien’s Auctions gallery in Beverly Hills at 9665 Wilshire Boulevard from 10am to 5pm Monday through Saturday starting Monday October 31st through Friday, November 11th.
A portion of the proceeds from this sale will benefit the non-profit organization Bette founded “New York Restoration Project” (NYRP), a non-profit organization she created in 1995 when she and her family moved back to New York City and found many of its parks, community gardens and open spaces reduced by abandonment and neglect to a state of complete disrepair. More information about this organization can be found at www.nyrp.org.
Jason DeBord