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Tony Award For Sale

FREE ESTIMATE. To buy, auction, sell or consign your Tony Award that is for sale, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (http://www.NateDSanders.com).

Tony Award For Sale

As Hollywood memorabilia remains a hot, hot commodity in the auction world, we have had the opportunity to have a few Tony Award for sale over the years, given to some of theater’s most luminary actors and actresses.

Tony Awards’ eponymous inspiration, Antoinette Perry, had passed away in 1946, and her American Theater Wing co-founder Brock Pemberton initiated the awards to honor her memory. Originally called the “Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre,” the premiere ceremony of the most prestigious awards for Broadway was held in the Grand Ballroom of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York on 6 April 1947.

Here are some prices we have realized for Tony awards:

Incredibly Scarce Tony Award for Sale From The First-Ever Ceremony — Awarded to the Legendary Actress Helen Hayes in 1947 for “Best Actress – Dramatic”

Historic Tony Award, bestowed upon the luminous Helen Hayes in 1947, the debut year of the Tony Awards, which was originally called the ”Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre.” Awarded to Hayes at the premiere ceremony of the most prestigious awards for Broadway, held in the Grand Ballroom of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York on 6 April 1947. Sterling silver award, made by Tiffany & Co. is a mirrored makeup compact with hinged lid engraved with Hayes’ initials ”HH”. Compact opens to an engraved inscription reading: ”THE AMERICAN THEATRE WING / Presents / Your ‘Tony’ / An / Antoinette Perry Award / 1946-47”. Inscription appears on an internal hinged lid covering the compartment to hold theater makeup. Finely crafted award features a built-in wiper that swipes the mirror clean of powder when the case is opened. Award was won by Hayes for her performance as the year’s ”Best Actress – Dramatic” in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Broadway production of the play ”Happy Birthday”. She was directed by Joshua Logan as love-struck librarian Addie, a role written for her by Anita Loos, author of ”Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.” This award was Hayes’ second notch toward her impressive ”Showbiz Award Grand Slam”, or EGOT status — a prestigious title shared by just 11 performers including Hayes who have won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony. At the time of this first Tony, she had already won her first of two Oscars, and in 1976 Hayes became the first woman to have won all four awards. Tony Awards’ eponymous inspiration, Antoinette Perry, had passed away in 1946, and her American Theater Wing co-founder Brock Pemberton initiated the awards to honor her memory. In just two years the awards were given in the form of medallions rather than compacts, money clips, lighters or scrolls. Coveted prize measures 2.75” square and 3/8” thick. Weighs 127 grams. Tarnishing and absence of most of the makeup from compact, with some residual powder remaining, else fine. The first ever of the country’s highest honor in live theater awarded to its own ”First Lady”. From the Helen Hayes estate. Sold for $37,230.

Tony award for sale

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Lena Horne’s Personally-Owned Tony Award for Sale — “Distinguished Achievement in Theatre” Award for “Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music”

Spectacular Tony Award presented to the eloquent singer and actress Lena Horne. This Tony Award, a Special Award ”for Distinguished Achievement in Theatre”, was given to Horne in 1981 for her incredibly successful Broadway musical, ”Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music” at the 35th Awards ceremony. Long blacklisted in Hollywood for both her skin color and politics, Lena Horne, by virtue of her sheer talent, slowly made inroads into the entertainment industry and is considered to have paved the way for several generations of woman entertainers of color. This Tony Award, the only Tony that Horne won during her career, is for the popular and critically acclaimed musical revue, ”Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music,” which ran on Broadway from 1981-1982. Critics hailed her performance in it as ”exceptionally moving”, ”intensely personal” and said of Horne, ”the most awesome performer to have hit Broadway in years.” The 3” medallion, made of brass and bronze with a nickel plating, features the masks of comedy and tragedy with the words, ”Antoinette Perry Award” on one side, and a profile of Perry, an early ”American Theatre Wing” leader on the other. Below Perry’s profile, the medallion reads, ”The League of New York Theatres and Producers, Inc. Presents to / Lena Horne / A Special Award / for Distinguished Achievement / in Theatre / 1981”. Medallion pivots upon a black lacquered base, bringing the total height to 8” and depth and width each to 3.75”. Weighs 1lb. 8.5 oz. Some tarnishing to metal and minor scratches to base, else near fine. Obtained directly from the family of Lena Horne. Sold for $37,230.

Tony Award for Sale

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Tony Award for Zero Mostel in His Most Beloved Role — as Tevye in ”Fiddler on the Roof”

Zero Mostel’s 1965 Tony Award for his performance as Best Actor in a Musical in ”Fiddler on the Roof.” The comic actor, who already had two Tony Awards to his credit, played Tevye, a Jew raising five daughters and trying to maintain traditions in Tsarist Russia. Mostel’s memorable portrayal brought rave reviews and success for the show which broke records for the length of its run on Broadway. The 3” medallion award, made of brass and bronze with a nickel plating, features the masks of comedy and tragedy with the words, ”Antoinette Perry Award” on one side, and a profile of Perry, an early ”American Theatre Wing” leader on the reverse. The ”Wing” established the awards in 1947. Below the profile of Perry, the medallion reads, ”The American Theatre Wing presents to” after which the recipient’s information is usually engraved. However, in Mostel’s case, a notarized letter from his son accompanying the award explains the absence of his father’s name on this award. ”…My father, Zero Mostel, claimed he had no use for awards…He was more interested in a good chopped liver sandwich…At the award ceremony for ‘Fiddler,’ Zero was angry at everybody. The winning composer and lyricist, Sheldon Harnick and Jerry Bock thanked Jerome Robbins and Hal Prince. Jerome Robbins, the director, thanked Hal Prince, the producer, and Bock and Harnick. Hal Prince thanked Robbins, Harnick et al. When Zero got to the podium he was furious. He said, ‘Since nobody else bothered to thank me, I thank me.’ He put the award in his pocket and went back to his table…They [his Tony Awards] were kept in two drawers…Fiddler was in the upper drawer. We always knew which was which because the Fiddler drawer was tight. It scraped the case the Fiddler award was in. Of course the award is in perfect shape, but the case is banged up some. When he felt he had to show his achievements, he’d storm into his studio in the apartment and he would make a big tumult about this award and that award. ‘And this is for ‘Fiddler!’ It was of course blank [not engraved]. It was like the Emperor’s New Clothes. It always got a laugh, but in Zero’s mind it was emblazoned with the accolades he so well deserved…” This award was presented in 1965 so it does not have the black pedestal used with the medallion since 1967, but rather comes housed in a 4.75” square satin-lined presentation case. Moderate wear to surface of case and separation of hinge. Overall very good. Light scratching to edge of 4.75” ounce medallion, else fine condition. A scarce award of Broadway history. Sold for $30,768.

Tony Award for Sale

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Tony Award for ”Gypsy” in 1990 — Awarded for ”Best Revival”

Tony Award for ”Best Revival” awarded to ”Gypsy” producer Barry Brown in 1990. The 3” medallion, made of brass and bronze with a nickel plating, features the masks of comedy and tragedy with the words ”Antoinette Perry Award” on one side, and recipient information engraved upon the other, reading, ”The League of American Theatres and Producers, Inc. and the American Theatre Wing Inc. Present / the American Theatre / Wing’s Tony Award to / Barry Brown / Best Revival of a Play or / Musical Producer / ‘Gypsy’ / 1989-90”. Medallion pivots upon a black lacquered base, bringing the total height to 8.25” and depth and width each to 3.75”. Weighs 1lb. 9 oz. Light tarnishing to swivel portion and minor scratches to base, else near fine. With an LOA from recipient Barry Brown. Sold for $26,798.

Tony Award for Sale

Tony Award for ”Gypsy” in 1990 — Awarded for ”Best Revival”. Click to enlarge.

Best Actress Tony Award Given to Anne Revere for ”Toys in The Attic” in 1960

Anne Revere’s 1960 Tony Award from ”Toys in The Attic” for her ”Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play”. Award medal shows the contrasting tragedy/comedy faces of the stage, around which reads ”Antoinette Perry Award”. Medal reverse is custom engraved for Revere within an ivy wreath design, ”The American / Theatre Wing / Presents To / ANNE REVERE / This Award For Her Performance In / ‘Toys in the Attic’ / 1959-60”. Award was bestowed on Revere as a stage actress during her decades-long hiatus from Hollywood. Nine years earlier, Revere was publicly and dramatically blacklisted for refusing to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee. This was the only Tony won by the production of Lillian Hellman’s play, which was produced by Kermit Bloomgarden and directed by Arthur Penn. Silver medal measures 3” in diameter and comes in its original case. Some tarnishing, else fine. Sold for $21,013.

Tony Award for Sale

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Ray Bolger’s Tony Award — From the 3rd Year of the Awards for the 1948 Production of ”Where’s Charley?” for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical

Tony award won by the beloved actor and music man, Ray Bolger for his 1948 Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical for ”Where’s Charley?”. Famous for his portrayal of the Scarecrow in ”The Wizard of Oz”, Bolger was also an accomplished theatre performer, especially well-known for the song ”Once In Love With Amy”, which he sang in this production of ”Where’s Charley?”. This very early Tony award is from the 3rd annual event, held on 24 April 1949, when the design of the Tony award medallion was first introduced, showing the comedy and tragedy masks on the front, and a profile portrait of Antoinette Perry in relief on the reverse. Sterling silver medallion reads, ”The American Theatre Wing Presents to Ray Bolger This Award for His Performance in Where’s Charley 1948-49”. Measures 3” in diameter, with STERLING mark on rim. Housed in its custom box measuring 6.25” square. Some tarnishing, else near fine. With an LOA from Ray Bolger’s niece. Sold for $19,490.

Tony Award for Sale

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LOA. Click image to enlarge.

Zero Mostel’s 1963 Tony Award for ”A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum”

Zero Mostel’s 1963 Tony Award for his performance as Best Actor in a Musical in Stephen Sondheim’s ”A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.” Mostel’s comic portrayal of a Roman slave won him rave reviews in addition to this award, his second Tony. The show, which also won a Tony for Best Musical, was a popular and financial success, and the basis of the 1966 movie where Mostel reprised his role. The 3” medallion, made of brass and bronze with a nickel plating, features the masks of comedy and tragedy with the words, ”Antoinette Perry Award” on one side, and a profile of Perry, an early ”American Theatre Wing” leader on the other. The ”Wing” established the awards in 1947. Below Perry’s profile, the medallion reads, ”The American Theatre Wing presents to Zero Mostel / For Distinguished Achievement in Theatre / ‘A Funny Thing Happened on the way to the Forum’ / 1963”. After the ceremony, each award is engraved with the winner’s name, though this is dependent upon the awardee, and not all of Mostel’s Tony awards are engraved. A copy of a letter from his son accompanying this award explains his father’s feelings about awards. ”…My father, Zero Mostel, claimed he had no use for awards…He was more interested in a good chopped liver sandwich…He refused to wear black tie, or any tie; he found most shoes uncomfortable. When he got his Tony for ‘Rhinoceros’ he never bothered to get it engraved. When he got the Tony for ‘A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum,’ Kate, my mother, put up a tremendous fuss and insisted that he get the award engraved. With much grumbling he complied with her wishes…” This award was presented in 1963 so it does not have the black pedestal used with the medallion since 1967, but rather a 4.75” square satin-lined presentation case. Moderate soiling to surface of case. Light wear to edge of 4.75” ounce medallion, else near fine condition. Sold for $19,103.

Tony Award for Sale

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Tony Award for the Stephen Sondheim Musical ”Pacific Overtures” in 1976 — Near Fine

Tony Award for the 1976 musical ”Pacific Overtures”, written by Stephen Sondheim. Tony is for ”Best Costume Designer”, awarded to famed designer Florence Klotz, whose career spanned four decades on Broadway and in film; Klotz even designed Elizabeth’s Taylor’s wedding dress to John Warner. The 3” Tony medallion, made of brass and bronze with a nickel plating, features the masks of comedy and tragedy with the words ”Antoinette Perry Award” on one side, and recipient information engraved upon the other, reading, ”The League of / New York Theatres / and Producers, Inc. / Presents to / Florence Klotz / Best Costume Designer / Pacific Overtures / For Distinguished Achievement / in Theatre / 1976”. Medallion pivots upon a black lacquered base, bringing the total height to 8.25” and depth and width each to 3.75”. Weighs 1lb. 9 oz. In very well preserved, near fine condition. From the estate of Florence Klotz. Sold for $18,750.

Tony Award for Sale

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Tony Award Presented to Frankie Michaels in ”Mame” — Youngest Recipient Ever to Win the Tony, Won at Age 10
Frankie Michaels Chernesky’s 1966 Tony Award from ”Mame” for his ”Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical”. To this date, Michaels holds the record for being the youngest person to win a Tony Award at age 10 for his performance as Patrick Dennis. The 3” medallion features the masks of comedy and tragedy with the words, ”ANTOINETTE PERRY AWARD” on the front. Verso has a relief profile of Perry and reads, ”THE AMERICAN THEATRE WING PRESENTS TO / FRANKIE MICHAELS / ACTOR-MUSICAL FEATURED OR SUPPORTING / FOR DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVEMENT IN THEATRE / ‘MAME’ / 1965-1966”. Sterling silver mark of ”STER.” appears on the rim. Award was presented in 1966 and does not have the black pedestal, which was introduced in 1967. Comes without original presentation case. Weighs 195 g. or 6.9 oz. Very small spots of discoloration, else near fine condition. With an LOA from Frankie Michaels Chernesky. Sold for $18,750.

Tony Award for Sale

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LOA. Tony Award for sale. Click image to enlarge.

John Gielgud’s Tony Award for the Shakespearean ”Ages of Man” — Gielgud Is One of Only 12 ”EGOT” Winners, Who Have Won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar & Tony Award

Tony Award won in 1959 by John Gielgud, for his ”Distinguished Contribution to Theatre”. Gielgud won this rare, special award for the one-man play ”Ages of Man”, the very successful recital which Gielgud performed for 10 years and which also won him Grammy and Emmy awards. The play features the speeches of Shakespeare in a dramatic exploration of human life, reflecting on the continuum from birth to death. The American Theatre Wing believed that Gielgud brought ”extraordinary insight into the writings of Shakespeare” for the production, and thus awarded him this Tony. Medallion, made of sterling silver, features the masks of comedy and tragedy with the words ”ANTOINETTE PERRY AWARD” on one side, and recipient information engraved upon the other, reading, ”THE AMERICAN THEATRE WING PRESENTS TO JOHN GIELGUD / THIS AWARD FOR HIS DISTINGUISHED CONTRIBUTION TO THEATRE / 1958-59”. Medallion measures 3” in diameter and weighs 7 ounces, with ”STERLING” engraved upon the rim. Housed in its original velvet-lined presentation box. Light tarnishing, overall in very good condition. Sold for $15,000.

Tony Award for Sale

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Tony Award for ”Camelot” in 1961 — Awarded to Franz Allers for Best Musical Direction

Franz Allers 1961 Tony Award from ”Camelot” for Best Musical Direction. Award medal shows the contrasting tragedy/comedy faces of the stage, around which reads ”Antoinette Perry Award”. Medal reverse is custom engraved for Allers within an ivy wreath design, ”The American / Theatre Wing / Presents To / FRANZ ALLERS / This Award For Musical Direction Of / ‘Camelot’ / 1961”. Richard Burton and Julie Andrews starred in ”Camelot”, which achieved considerable success after Ed Sullivan promoted it on his eponymous show. JFK was such a fan that he often listened to a recording of the play at the White House. It was nominated for 5 Tonys in 1961 and won 4 including Best Actor for Richard Burton. Silver medal measures 3” in diameter. Sterling silver mark of ”STER.” appears on the rim. Some tarnishing and light scratching, overall in very good condition. With an LOA from Franz Aller’s grandson. Sold for $12,500.

Tony Award for Sale

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Burgess Meredith Tony Award — Rare Special Tony Award From 1960 for Directing ”A Thurber Carnival”

Tony award won by the beloved ”Rocky” actor Burgess Meredith for his direction of the 1960 revue ”A Thurber Carnival”. In addition to a superb actor who was nominated for two Academy Awards, Meredith was also an accomplished Broadway stage director, and won this Special Tony award with James Thurber, possibly given to the pair as a Special Tony since the popular ”A Thurber Carnival” was neither a play nor a musical, but a theatrical revue in classic vaudevillian style. Tony shows the comedy and tragedy masks on the front, and a profile portrait of Antoinette Perry in relief on the reverse. Sterling silver medallion reads, ”The American Theatre Wing Presents to Burgess Meredith This Award for His Direction of ‘A Thurber Carnival’ 1959-60”. Measures 3” in diameter. Housed in its original custom box measuring 7” square. Near fine condition. Originally sold as lot 289 in the Sotheyby’s 13 June 1998 sale. Sold for $12,500.

Tony Award for Sale

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Tony Award from 1949 Awarded to Nanette Fabray for Best Actress in a Musical for ”Love Life” — From the 3rd Year of the Awards & the First Year the Tony Award Medallion Was Given

Tony award won in 1949 for Best Actress in a Musical, awarded to Nanette Fabray for ”Love Life”, the Elia Kazan directed musical. This very early Tony award is from the 3rd annual event, held on 24 April 1949, when the design of the Tony award medallion was first introduced, showing the comedy and tragedy masks on the front, and a profile portrait of Antoinette Perry in relief on the reverse. Sterling silver medallion reads, ”The American Theatre Wing Presents to Nanette Fabray This Award for Her Performance in Love Life 1948-49”. Measures 3” in diameter, with STERLING mark on rim. Some tarnishing, else near fine. Sold for $8,319.

Tony Award for Sale

Tony Award for sale. Click image to enlarge.

Tony Award for ”Kiss of the Spider Woman: The Musical” in 1993

Tony Award for the 1993 musical ”Kiss of the Spider Woman”, which swept the Tony awards in 1993, taking home seven awards including Best Musical, Best Choreography, Best Original Score, Best Direction, Best Performances by a Leading Actor and Actress in a Musical, and Best Costume Design. This Tony Award is for the Best Costume Design, awarded to famed designer Florence Klotz, whose career spanned four decades on Broadway and in film; Klotz even designed Elizabeth’s Taylor’s wedding dress to John Warner. The 3” Tony medallion, made of brass and bronze with a nickel plating, features the masks of comedy and tragedy with the words ”Antoinette Perry Award” on one side, and recipient information engraved upon the other, reading, ”The League of American Theatres and Producers, Inc. / And the American Theatre Wing, Inc. / Present / The American Theatre / Wing’s Tony Award / to / Florence Klotz / Best Costume Design / ‘Kiss of the Spider Woman – The Musical’ / 1992-93”. Medallion pivots upon a black lacquered base, bringing the total height to 9” and depth and width each to 3.875”. Weighs 2 lb. 1 oz. Some tarnishing to medallion, overall in near fine condition. From the estate of Florence Klotz. Sold for $7,500.

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LOA Tony Award for sale. Click image to enlarge.

Tony Award Given to Alan Bates for Leading Actor in a Play for ”Fortune’s Fool” in 2002

Tony Award for ”Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play”, awarded to Alan Bates in 2002 for ”Fortune’s Fool”. The 3” Tony medallion, made of brass and bronze with a nickel plating, features the masks of comedy and tragedy with the words ”Antoinette Perry Award” on one side, and recipient information engraved upon the other. Medallion pivots upon a black lacquered base, bringing the total height to 7.75” and depth and width each to 3.75”. Light wear and one footer missing on the underside of base, overall in very good condition. Accompanied by ephemera from the event: envelope for tickets, memento ticket, gala reception ticket, and envelope housing all items. Sold for $6,704.

Tony Award for sale. Click image to enlarge.

Jose Ferrer Tony Award — Rare Special Tony Award for Winning Three Best Director Awards in One Year

Tony Award won by Jose Ferrer for Directorial Achievement in 1952, the same year he won in the category of Best Director for three plays: ”Stalag 17”, ”The Fourposter” and ”The Shrike”. Rather than awarding three separate Tonys, Ferrer was given this Award for ”Diverse Directorial Achievement”. In addition to winning Tony Awards in both acting and directing over the course of his career, Ferrer was also the first Hispanic actor to win an Academy Award. Tony shows the comedy and tragedy masks on the front, and a profile portrait of Antoinette Perry in relief on the reverse. Sterling silver medallion reads, ”The American Theatre Wing Presents to Jose Ferrer This Award for His Diverse Directorial Achievement 1951-52”. Measures 3” across. With ”Sterling” mark on rim. Housed in its original custom box measuring 6” square. Light tarnishing, else near fine. Sold for $6,250.

Tony Award for sale. Click image to enlarge.

FREE ESTIMATE. To buy, auction, sell or consign your Tony Award that is for sale, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (http://www.NateDSanders.com). Tony Award for sale.

Tony Award for ”Camelot” in 1961 — Awarded to Franz Allers for Best Musical DirectionTony Award for ”Camelot” in 1961 — Awarded to Franz Allers for Best Musical DirectionSaveSave

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