Mecum announces inagural celebrity auction at Barker Hanger in Santa Monica

SANTA MONICA, Calif. - June 7, 2013 - PRLog -- Mecum Auctions, the largest collector car auction house in the world, has announced its first celebrity memorabilia auction with the inaugural Mecum Celebrity Items Auction, a two-day extravaganza at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, CA July 26-27, 2013. Mecum Celebrity Items Auction: Celebrating the Legendary History of Hollywood will display and present extraordinary pieces of entertainment history focused on vintage Hollywood, music and pop culture memorabilia, all with amazing celebrity history. The auction will feature a remarkable, wide range of personal items and hundreds of rare artifacts to motorcycles, cars and more from the Golden Years of Hollywood to present day. Select items will be available online for silent auction beginning July 5.

Featured amongst the more than 2,000 items to be offered at this unprecedented auction include items from musicians, directors, authors, actors and actresses including John Lennon, Steve McQueen, Elvis Presley, John Wayne, Ringo Starr, Marilyn Monroe, Jim Morrison, Jack Nicholson, Roy Rogers, Evel Knievel, Frank Sinatra, Hunter S. Thompson, Timothy Leary, Jimmy Stewart, Burt Reynolds, Errol Flynn, Gene Kelly and many more.

Additionally, a featured centerpiece of the auction is the amazing 1,200-piece collection from John Hagner, curator of the Hollywood Stuntman’s Hall of Fame. Acquired over the course of nearly seven decades, Hagner’s collection consists of remarkable memorabilia including the red handled leather-weave whip seen in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade; the original 1943 Captain America cowl; a hood and cape from Spiderman pre-cursor the 1938 serial The Spider’s Web; and a Rodan animatronic monster head from the infamous Rodan and Godzilla films of the 1950s. Hagner will be in attendance for the auction and to authenticate his collection.

Mecum Celebrity Items Auction highlights

John Lennon's "Lost Weekend" glasses (early-to-mid 1970s)

A pair of 1970s-style aviator prescription sunglasses with black plastic frames and dark amber-tinted lenses that Lennon wore in New York and Los Angeles during what rock historians dubbed his “Lost Weekend.”

The specs were consigned by May Pang, his former personal assistant, production coordinator, companion and muse. She will be in attendance for the auction to authenticate her item.

Ringo Starr "Power Ring" (circa 1976)

This is the first time one of Starr’s rings has ever been up for auction. With that, Lennon’s band mate and drummer will get equal billing in Mecum’s Celebrity Items Auction with the first-time offering of a silver and gold Electrum diamond “Power Ring.” Nancy Lee Andrews commissioned the ring for her then-fiancé, Ringo Starr. The Power Ring is most prominently displayed on the cover of Starr’s 1977 album Ringo the 4th as well as many other publicity and personal photos.

The inscription reads: 12/25/76...”You'll never know just how much I love you.” Says Andrews, “I presented the ring to Ringo on Christmas Day, 1976, and he rarely took if off save for the time he damaged it while in Mexico during the filming of Caveman. Ringo slightly dented the ring while playing the conga...it being pure gold and silver, it can dent when given a good smack.”

The ring is consigned by Nancy Lee Andrews who will be in attendance for the auction to authenticate the item.

Steve McQueen "Yucatan" trunks (circa 1969-1971)

Several items of McQueen’s will be up for auction including the “Holy Grail” of his movie career – the storied Yucatan trunks. The two trunks contain 16 leather-bound notebooks filled with drawings, storyboard illustrations, photographs and a detailed script for Yucatan. Slated to be McQueen’s follow-up to his racing epic Le Mans, the superstar worked two years (1969-1971) on this “lost classic.”

Steve McQueen 1969 Chevrolet C/10 Baja Truck

Equally as impressive and just as rare as the Yucatan trunks will be McQueen’s 1969 Chevrolet C/10 Baja race truck designed by off-road motoring visionary Vic Hickey. The full-sized 4 x 4 truck was constructed by Chevrolet and saw its debut in the inaugural ’68 Baja 1000. It was sold to McQueen in 1970, who held onto the truck until 1972. With just over 14,000 original miles, the truck still sports the original red paint along with many other original parts, accessories, and Hickey racing customizations.

Frank Sinatra Mike Royko 1976 letter

Frank Sinatra's famous scathing letter to Chicago Tribune columnist, Mike Royko. Said to be "'possibly one of best Sinatra memorabilia pieces to own," this incredible piece of history is from the estate of Vie Carlson who bought the letter from Mike Royko. In 2009 Carlson was featured with the letter on PBS’ Antiques Roadshow and the segment still shows up in some of their highlight reels today.  

To consign an item or to become a pre-registered bidder at the auction, visit www.mecum.com or call (262) 275-5050.

MECUM CELEBRITY ITEMS AUCTION SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

Barker Hangar

3021 Airport Avenue

Santa Monica, CA  90405-6101

www.barkerhangar.com

PUBLIC PREVIEW:

Thursday, July 25, 6:00pm – 9:00pm

Friday, July 26, 12:00pm – 5:00pm

LIVE AUCTION TIMES:

Friday July 26, 5:00pm – 9:00pm  

Saturday, July 27, 1:00pm – 5:00pm

* Admission: $20 per person per day, children 12 and younger admitted free

SILENT AUCTION: Opens July 5 exclusively at  www.MECUM.com

About Mecum Auction
Nobody sells more than Mecum. Nobody. The Mecum Auction Company is the world leader of collector car and Road Art sales, hosting auctions throughout the United States. The company has been specializing in the sale of collector cars for 26 years, now offering more than 15,000 vehicles per year and averaging more than one auction each month. Established by President Dana Mecum in 1988, Mecum Auctions remains a family-run company headquartered in Walworth, Wis. For further information, visit www.mecum.com or call (262) 275-5050. Follow along with Mecum’s social media news and join us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest and Instagram.