Lady LUX

Hollywood buffs everywhere can rejoice: The Hollywood Legends Collection, one of the most extensive private collections of Hollywood memorabilia, is now on sale in its entirety. Offering costumes, photographs, scripts, magazines and more, the unequaled collection took almost 70 years to amass, chronicling the industry from silent films to contemporary.

Worth in excess of $10 million, the assortment was carefully accumulated and preserved by former costume professional John LeBold.

The collection truly deserves the term “hefty,” embracing 887 costumes, more than 6300 lobby cards and more than 115,000 photos, in addition to movie stills, negatives, programs, mannequins, press books, scrapbooks and more.

“I love movies and I wanted to try and sell the collection before it goes to waste,” LeBold declared. “I want to get as much money as I can for the collection to help out the charities as much as possible.”

LeBold and his Hollywood Legends Collection have tramped across the globe, sharing the memorabilia with Hollywood enthusiasts in every single continent. He has had the privilege of showcasing for Emperor Hirohito of Japan and for Princess Alexandra Borgheses of Rome, plus been exhibited at a bevy of museums. Presented during Bloomingdale’s 50th anniversary celebration, the collection was viewed by more than 11 million store visitors.

The iconic collected works focus on Hollywood fashions, featuring some of the most well-known and beloved clothing from films spanning the century. The original studio label, present on 99 percent of the items, proves their authenticity.

Highlights of the Hollywood Legends Collection include:

•Vivien Leigh’s green velvet drapery dress and Clark Gable’s green cape from “Gone with the Wind”
•Judy Garland’s blue-checkered pinafore and white blouse from “The Wizard of Oz”
•Marilyn Monroe’s gold lamé gown from “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes”
•Ingrid Bergman’s cream evening dress from “Casablanca”
•Elizabeth Taylor’s strapless off-white gown from “A Place in the Sun” and Taylor’s ornate falcon headdress and jewelry from “Cleopatra”
•Rita Hayworth’s black satin ball gown and long matching gloves from “Gilda”
•Marlene Dietrich’s silk velvet evening gown and black feather boa from “Shanghai Express”
•Humphrey Bogart’s blue pinstripe “Lucky Suit” from “The Maltese Falcon” and three other films
•Bob Hope’s cream and gold wool jacket from “Road to Morocco”
•Gene Kelly’s black-and-beige satin striped cape from “An American in Paris”
•Audrey Hepburn’s white chiffon gown from “Sabrina”
•Arnold Schwarzenegger’s black leather jacket, pants, T-shirt, belt and boots from
“Terminator 2”

The collection also boasts film attire from Sean Connery, Joan Crawford, Tom Cruise, Tony Curtis, Bette Davis, Doris Day, Farrah Fawcett, Henry Fonda, Greta Garbo, Betty Grable, Cary Grant, Jean Harlow, Rita Hayworth, Katharine Hepburn, Grace Kelly and Ginger Rogers.

Many famous props also are included, such as Charlie Chaplin’s bamboo cane, the jewel box and two tablets used by Charlton Heston in “The Ten Commandments,” “The Maltese Falcon” statue and the golden idol from “Raiders of the Lost Ark.”

Proceeds from the sale will fund the work of The Giving Back Fund, which nurtures and consults upcoming philanthropists in the entertainment and sports field, and the Americana Dance Theatre, which is committed to conserving American folk history through the arts.

The collection is now partly on display at Graumann’s Chinese Theatre.

To purchase the collection for $10 million or to check out the items, visit www.hollywoodlegendscollection.org. The collection will remain available until sold as a whole.

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