A slew of items belonging toJames Deanwas auctioned off for big bucks. The memorabilia, found through the estate of Dean’s former agent, Jane Deacy, sold on Thursday night for more than $260,000, per Nate D. Sanders auctions. The James Dean collection featured some never-before-seen memorabilia gathered from the actor’s rapid rise in Hollywood over the span of three years before his life was tragically cut short. The 400-lot collection also is remarkable for its quantity.
Some of the unique items offered at the auction include an original Warner Bros. contract forEast of Eden,Rebel Without a Cause, andGiant. It has even been signed, making it that much more valuable. Described as one of the “most important acting contracts in the history of Hollywood,” the item sold for $22,958. A separate contract with Dean and Warner Bros. forGiantalso sold for $15,679.
There were also two handwritten letters by Dean that he’d given to Deacy. The first letter has Dean addressing Deacy as “Mom,” and speaks of how life is going for him in Los Angeles during the production ofEast of Eden. A second letter describes Dean’s relationship with his stepmother, seeing an “analyst,” quitting his smoking and drinking, and running out of money. It’s noted that the letter also included a small self-portrait drawn by Dean. Together, the letters sold for $10,706.
Related:Michael Mann Scrapped a James Dean Biopic Starring Leonardo DiCaprio
James Dean’s Legacy Lives On
Another item auctioned is James Dean’s motorcycle registration card. That is notable as Dean’s love of motorcycles is well-known and goes with hisRebel Without a Causeimage. The motorcycle registration card is dated December 1953, bearing Dean’s name and New York address along with the bike’s manufacturer, partial VIN, and title number. That sold for $4,004, while Dean’s New York apartment keys for an additional $7,009.
Also sold was a large silver gelatin photo signed to Deacy, as Dean wrote, “To Mom / My heart and thanks / Jim.” It further showed the affection the young actor had for his agent. Dean had viewed “Lady Jane” as a second mother, as he had grown up without a mother for most of his childhood and had an estranged relationship with his stepmother, That photo sold for $15,101.
“We’re pleased to offer collectors nearly 400 lots from Jane Deacy’s personal collection of her beloved client, James Dean,” the auction’s description reads. “It’s long known that Deacy opened her own agency in 1952 to represent Dean, then a struggling actor who had just moved to New York to turn his fortunes around. The two grew close, with Dean often referring to her asMom, relying on Deacy not only for his burgeoning acting career, but also for emotional support, financial help and an uncompromising belief in his future.”
The description adds, “The result here is the most comprehensive and intimate offering of James Dean memorabilia ever to come to auction, covering the pivotal three years of Dean’s life when he transformed from working actor into quintessential movie star. Items include everything from Dean signed photos to his handwritten letters, signed contracts and correspondence providing never before glimpses into his life.”
You can find out more about the James Dean memorabilia auction at theofficial website for Nate D. Sanders Auctions.
