Category

May 2023 James Dean Auction Ends Thursday, May 25th, 5pm Pacific

Auction closed on 5/25/2023. Final prices include buyers premium.

• Lot #1: James Dean Signed Contract from January 1952 for His First Television Acting Role -- Dean Also Handwrites His Social Security & Telephone Numbers

  

  Min Bid: $3,000

  Final Price: Pass

• Lot #6: Telegram Sent to James Dean from His Agent Jane Deacy -- On the Eve of Dean's Stage Debut in 1952

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $715

• Lot #34: Invoice from Talbot Studios for Photographs of James Dean -- Misspelled "Deane"

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: Pass

• Lot #58: James Dean Signed Contract for ''Martin Kane, Private Eye'', the TV Show Where He Was Fired for Not Taking Direction

  

  Min Bid: $3,000

  Final Price: $3,750

• Lot #88: James Dean Signed Contract for ''The Immoralist'' with Additional Initialed Rider -- The Play That Caught Elia Kazan's Eye & Launched Dean's Film Career

  

  Min Bid: $3,000

  Final Price: $8,848

• Lot #90: Jane Deacy Letter to James Dean from 1953 -- ''...I am sorry that you are buying the machine [motorcycle]. But I suppose that you know what you are doing...''

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $7,809

• Lot #91: James Dean's Motorcycle Registration Card for the Indian Motorcycle He Bought in 1953

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $4,004

• Lot #94: James Dean Signed 8'' x 10'' Silver Gelatin Photo -- Without Inscription

  

  Min Bid: $7,500

  Final Price: $15,101

• Lot #95: James Dean Signed 8'' x 10'' Silver Gelatin Photo -- Without Inscription

  

  Min Bid: $7,500

  Final Price: $12,479

• Lot #100: Letter from Famous Artists Corp. to Jane Deacy Regarding Representing James Dean on the West Coast

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $401

• Lot #104: Telegram to James Dean from His Agent Jane Deacy, ''c/o 'The Immoralist''', Dean's Breakout Broadway Role

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $300

• Lot #108: Telegram to James Dean from His Agent Jane Deacy, ''c/o 'The Immoralist''', Dean's Breakout Broadway Role

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $401

• Lot #109: James Dean Letter Signed to ''The Immoralist'' Producer, Terminating His Agreement After Elia Kazan Tapped Him for ''East of Eden''

  

  Min Bid: $3,000

  Final Price: $4,991

• Lot #123: Jane Deacy's Handwritten Notes on the James Dean's Multi-Film Contract with Warner Bros. -- Includes Notes about ''East of Eden'', Script Approval, Etc. & Questions About the Deal

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $330

• Lot #124: Telegram from Jane Deacy Announcing James Dean's Arrival in Los Angeles to Film ''East of Eden''

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $248

• Lot #125: Unopened Bill to James Dean from New York Telephone

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $536

• Lot #127: Telegram from Jane Deacy to ''East of Eden'' Director Elia Kazan with a Simple ''Thank You''

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $125

• Lot #129: Jane Deacy's Extensive Handwritten & Typed Notes on the ''PROPOSED DEAL TO WARNERS FOR JIMMY DEAN'' -- With Details, Concerns & Questions Regarding Dean's Multi-Picture Contract with Warners

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $225

• Lot #131: James Dean Contract Signed & Also Initialed 48 Times with Warner Bros. for ''East of Eden'', ''Rebel Without a Cause'' and ''Giant'' -- The Contract that Made James Dean a Hollywood Legend

  

  Min Bid: $3,000

  Final Price: $22,958

• Lot #133: James Dean Autograph Letter Signed to His Agent Jane Deacy -- Charming Letter Shows Dean on the Brink of Fame -- ''...Very brown and healthy looking, Kazan is pleased. I love you...''

  

  Min Bid: $3,000

  Final Price: $10,706

• Lot #135: James Dean's Biography -- Used to Market the Young Actor in 1954, Possibly Created at the Behest of Warner Bros.

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $125

• Lot #142: James Dean's Actor's Equity Association Card from 1954

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $2,484

• Lot #144: James Dean Autograph Letter Signed, Shortly Before ''East of Eden'' Started Filming -- Affectionate Letter with Self-Portrait Discusses Living at Home with His Stepmother, Seeing an Analyst & More

  

  Min Bid: $3,000

  Final Price: $10,706

• Lot #145: James Dean Agreement Signed with Warner Bros., Agreeing to Repay a $700 Advance on His Earnings from ''East of Eden''

  

  Min Bid: $3,000

  Final Price: $4,125

• Lot #146: Jane Deacy Letter to James Dean from 1954 -- ''...I am very pleased you have given up cigarettes and drinking...don't get so despondent, as you have a real great future ahead of you...''

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $300

• Lot #147: Telegram to James Dean from His Agent Jane Deacy -- '''Welcome to Hollywood.' Know you will be real smash star...''

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $1,155

• Lot #148: Invoice from 1954 to Keep James Dean's Motorcycle

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $650

• Lot #149: James Dean's Temporary AFTRA Membership Card

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $715

• Lot #152: Letter from Famous Artists Corp. to Jane Deacy Regarding James Dean -- ''...I am very fond of Jim, and understand him and all his problems...''

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $330

• Lot #153: Warner Brothers Letter to James Dean -- ''...the motion picture to be produced by us entitled 'EAST OF EDEN'...''

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $330

• Lot #154: James Dean's Paycheck Stub from Warner Brothers for Filming ''East of Eden''

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $300

• Lot #159: Jane Deacy Letter to James Dean from 1954 -- ''...I miss you very, very much. Life is very monotonous without 'that Dean boy' calling...''

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $248

• Lot #173: James Dean Telegram Sent in 1954 to His Agent Jane Deacy -- ''concerning future status...Love Jimmy''

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $788

• Lot #179: Jane Deacy Letter to James Dean from 1954 While Filming ''East of Eden'' -- Deacy Advises Dean of His Military Draft Status If He Gets Married

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $225

• Lot #189: Silver Gelatin 8'' x 10'' Photo of James Dean and Julie Harris from ''East of Eden''

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $125

• Lot #190: Silver Gelatin 8'' x 10'' Photo of James Dean from ''East of Eden''

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $185

• Lot #192: Silver Gelatin 8'' x 10'' Photo of James Dean and Julie Harris from ''East of Eden''

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $151

• Lot #194: Silver Gelatin 8'' x 10'' Photo of James Dean from ''East of Eden''

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $185

• Lot #195: Silver Gelatin 8'' x 10'' Photo of James Dean from ''East of Eden''

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $204

• Lot #197: Silver Gelatin 8'' x 10'' Photo of James Dean from ''East of Eden''

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $125

• Lot #200: Silver Gelatin 8'' x 10'' Photo of James Dean from ''East of Eden''

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $125

• Lot #203: Silver Gelatin 8'' x 10'' Photo of James Dean from ''East of Eden''

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $125

• Lot #210: Silver Gelatin 8'' x 10'' Photo of James Dean from ''East of Eden''

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $185

• Lot #212: Silver Gelatin 8'' x 10'' Photo of James Dean, Elia Kazan and Julie Harris from ''East of Eden'' with Marlon Brando Visiting the Set

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $954

• Lot #225: Silver Gelatin 8'' x 10'' Photo of James Dean Taken by Photographer Bert Six

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $168

• Lot #230: Two Bills from Doubleday Book Shops to James Dean

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $125

• Lot #233: Jane Deacy Letter to James Dean from 1954 -- ''...I do hope that the analyst you are going to is a good one and that you thoroughly investigated him...I'm not prying into your personal business...''

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $185

• Lot #235: Bill of Lading to Ship James Dean's Motorcycle from New York to Los Angeles

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $536

• Lot #237: Letter from Warner Brothers to James Dean, Informing Him that It's Exercising the Option to Employ Him in a ''second motion picture''

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $125

• Lot #239: Jane Deacy Letter to James Dean from 1954 -- ''...I was shocked about Pier Angeli and Vic Damone. I sincerely hope that you are not too badly hurt and upset about this...''

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $273

• Lot #251: Jane Deacy Letter to James Dean from 1954 -- ''...Rogers Brackett called me just now, and he's on the warpath again. He wants some action...''

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $125

• Lot #252: December 1954 Letter from Famous Artists Regarding James Dean in the Upcoming Film, Here Named ''Rebel Without Cause''

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $225

• Lot #255: Telegram from Dick Clayton to Jane Deacy -- ''Jimmy would like you check following: Kazan talked to Inge Re Jim for cowboy role in his new play 'Bus Stop'. Jim...is definitely interested...''

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $248

• Lot #256: Jane Deacy Letter to James Dean from 1954 Regarding Being Cast in ''Rebel Without a Cause'' -- ''...I'm so happy over you and the picture...''

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $225

• Lot #263: James Dean's Chase Bank Deposit Receipt, in Envelope Unopened

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $151

• Lot #271: Letter from Warner Brothers to James Dean Regarding Filming His Second Movie

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $364

• Lot #273: Telegram to James Dean from ''Rebel Without a Cause'' Director Nick Ray -- Ray Sends Dean Birthday Wishes, with ''REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE'' Typed at Top

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $1,539

• Lot #274: Birthday Telegram to James Dean from Warner Brothers

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $401

• Lot #282: Letters to James Dean & Jane Deacy from Dick Clayton, with Mention of Both "EAST OF EDEN" & "REBEL" and Reference to "Giant" -- "…if he was going to turn down REBEL without seeing script…"

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $536

• Lot #293: Lawsuit Settlement Agreement of Rogers Brackett vs. James Dean

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $225

• Lot #300: James Dean Signed & Initialed Theatrical Motion Picture Agency Contract from March 1955 with Jane Deacy

  

  Min Bid: $3,000

  Final Price: $4,125

• Lot #307: Letter from Dick Clayton to Jane Deacy Regarding James Dean Filming ''Rebel Without a Cause'' -- ''...the picture started shooting at the Planetarium on Tuesday...''

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $273

• Lot #308: James Dean Signed Agreement with Warner Brothers for ''GIANT''

  

  Min Bid: $3,000

  Final Price: $15,679

• Lot #316: Letter from Dick Clayton to Jane Deacy During Filming of ''Rebel Without a Cause'' -- ''...Have been on the set every day. He is very happy and the picture is going well...''

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $125

• Lot #317: James Dean Signed Photo ''To Mom / My heart and thanks / Jim'' -- Large Photo from the Famous Motorcycle Session Measures 13.5'' x 10.25''

  

  Min Bid: $7,500

  Final Price: $15,101

• Lot #318: Jane Deacy's Extensive Handwritten Notes Regarding Her Renegotiated Deal with Warner Bros. for James Dean's Contract -- From April-May 1955 After Dean's Breakout Stardom in ''East of Eden''

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $330

• Lot #327: Letter from Dick Clayton to Jane Deacy on the Day that ''Rebel Without a Cause'' Wrapped -- ''...Jimmy finished principal photography today. He will be needed for dubbing a couple of days...''

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $138

• Lot #328: Letter from Warner Brothers to James Dean Regarding ''GIANT''

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $715

• Lot #330: James Dean Signed Agreement with Warner Bros. for Public Appearances to Promote ''GIANT''

  

  Min Bid: $3,000

  Final Price: $4,991

• Lot #338: Letter Regarding Automobile & Motorcycle Insurance for James Dean -- Dated June 1955, Shortly Before He Died

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $536

• Lot #339: Telegram from Jane Deacy Regarding James Dean -- ''Jimmy loves script''

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $125

• Lot #343: Letter Regarding Auto & Motorcycle Insurance for James Dean -- ''...the absence of...an Accident Policy...I have told James this but to no avail...I can only hope he stays well and in one piece...''

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $715

• Lot #345: Letter from Dick Clayton to Jane Deacy Regarding Shooting Delays for ''GIANT'' -- ''...Jimmy Dean will be tied up on GIANT until at least September 15. They are now about fifteen days behind...''

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $125

• Lot #349: Letter from Dick Clayton to Jane Deacy -- ''...Now about Jimmy...He will probably move to the new house over the week end...''

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $185

• Lot #356: Jane Deacy Letter to James Dean -- ''...I flipped when I heard that Paul Newman was going to do it...''

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $300

• Lot #358: Letter to Jane Deacy from Dick Clayton's Office Regarding James Dean ''doing THE GRAZIANO STORY''

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $151

• Lot #361: Jane Deacy Letter to James Dean Two Weeks Before His Death

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $364

• Lot #363: James Dean's New York Apartment Keys

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $7,099

• Lot #386: Oversized Advertising Booklet for ''Giant''

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $300

• Lot #388: Award Sculpture Given to James Dean Posthumously for Best Actor in 1956

  

  Min Bid: $100

  Final Price: $1,050

• Lot #390: ''Giant'' Cast-Signed Book -- Signed Twice by James Dean & Also by Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson, Director George Stevens & More

  

  Min Bid: $4,500

  Final Price: $5,625

• Lot #392: Walt Disney Signed Illustrated Copy of ''Living Desert'' -- Without Inscription -- With Phil Sears COA

  

  Min Bid: $3,000

  Final Price: $3,750

• Lot #394: Alfred Hitchcock Signed Self Portrait Sketch Within the Book ''Hitchcock's Films''

  

  Min Bid: $800

  Final Price: $1,210

• Lot #396: George Reeves Signed Photo as Superman -- From the Estate of Martial Artist Bruce Tegner, Reeves Inscribes the Photo, ''To the Equestrian Trails''

  

  Min Bid: $1,500

  Final Price: $2,496

• Lot #398: Original Negative of Jayne Mansfield with Graphite Retouching Visible -- Photograph by Bert Six Measures 8'' x 9.875''

  

  Min Bid: $1,000

  Final Price: Pass

• Lot #399: Original 8.5'' x 11'' Photo of Marilyn Monroe's Palm, Taken by Andre de Dienes, With de Dienes Backstamp & Hand-Annotated on Verso by de Dienes

  

  Min Bid: $1,000

  Final Price: $1,250

• Lot #408: Original Charles Schulz Hand-Drawn Sunday ''Peanuts'' Comic Strip -- Snoopy and Woodstock Play a Game of Pickup Basketball

  

  Min Bid: $32,000

  Final Price: $40,000

• Lot #409: Very Early ''Peanuts'' Comic Strip from 1953, Hand-Drawn by Charles Schulz

  

  Min Bid: $23,000

  Final Price: $42,094

• Lot #411: Noel Coward Cocktail Shaker, Personally Gifted and Engraved to His Godson, David Niven, Jr., with a Clever, Rhyming Inscription

  

  Min Bid: $10,000

  Final Price: Pass

• Lot #415: Charles Dickens Signed Presentation First Impression of "American Notes" -- Inscribed to His Friend, William H. Prescott, the Day After Publication -- From the David Niven Collection

  

  Min Bid: $40,000

  Final Price: Pass

• Lot #416: "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens in Three Volumes, Published 1861 -- Scarce First Edition, First Impression for Vols. I and III, Third Impression for Vol. II

  

  Min Bid: $30,000

  Final Price: Pass

• Lot #417: Scarce First Edition, First Impression of "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens -- From the David Niven Collection

  

  Min Bid: $10,000

  Final Price: $16,638

• Lot #420: Martin Luther King Signed Copy of ''Stride Toward Freedom'' -- Bold Signature Without Inscription -- With JSA COA

  

  Min Bid: $9,000

  Final Price: Pass

• Lot #421: Martin Luther King Signed Civil Rights Handbill from 1961 -- Without Inscription -- With PSA/DNA COA

  

  Min Bid: $5,500

  Final Price: Pass