HollywoodMemorabilia Blog

Hundreds of pieces of elite celebrity memorabilia are set to hit the auction block in Las Vegas later this week, including some one-of-a-kind pieces of Michael Jackson memorabilia. The auction drew some criticism earlier this month for scheduling the annual affair on the one-year anniversary of the pop star’s death.

There were be other celebrity collectibles available for bidding, along with oddities like Marilyn Monroe’s dry cleaning bills and Elvis Presley’s certification for becoming a blue belt in karate.

We’ve seen some special pieces of hand written autographed celebrity cards and movie memorabilia over the years, but authentic John Lennon lyrics? That’s a whole ‘nother ballgame. An original, Lennon-penned lyrics sheet to “A Day In the Life” fetched $1.2 million at auction this past weekend, reportedly to an American collector. It’s one of the Beatles’ more controversial songs, and the original lyrics sheet has now become one amazing piece of rock and roll memorabilia.

Addicting to collecting hollywood memorabilia? You’re in luck, my friend. Cable Network SyFy has ordered six episodes of a new music and movie memorabilia program called Hunting Hollywood, which will feature stories of unusual people collecting different types of celebrity collectibles.

It’s the science fiction network’s first foray into the memorabilia world, and given the popularity of reality programming it may not be the last.

When legendary rock club CBGB closed its doors on the Bowery in lower Manhattan a few year’s ago, many investors stepped up to buy the rights to the actual CBGB brand. The owners originally opened a clothing and music memorabilia shop on St. Mark’s Place between second and third avenue which has since closed. Now it seems the brand is in trouble again as the owners, listed as CBGB Holdings LLC. have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

When the original Lower East Side venue closed in 2006, hundreds of signed guitars and music posters hit the auction block around the city. Now it appears the venue, along with the intellectual property known as CBGB may have actually reached the end of the road. With the investors of the brand reportedly millions of dollars in debt, it’s unlikely we’ll see any positive news about the CBGB name anytime soon.

Updating a Hollywood Memorabilia blog entry from last week, some big time pieces of movie memorabilia including a rare piece of Wizard of Oz memorabilia bought in big dollars at a California auction.

One of many pieces of iconic film props and celebrity collectibles to bring in big money was a dress worn by Marilyn Monroe in the film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. The unforgettable pink satin dress bought in a cool $320,000.

Another interesting item up for bidding was the original black pointy hat worn by the Wicked Witch of the West in the Wizard of Oz. Following only the dress, the iconic piece of film memorabilia brought in a remarkable $225,000.

An auction of many pieces of Michael Jackson memorabilia has caused a stir with many of his fans, including the late pop singer’s brother Randy Jackson. Popular Las Vegas-based Hollywood memorabilia auction house Julien’s Auctions is slated to put dozens of pieces of Jackson-related items including autographed musical instruments and gold record displays.

The items up for bidding aren’t what disturbs Randy Jackson, it’s the date. The auction is scheduled for June 25th, or the one year anniversary of Michael’s passing. A spokesman for the auction house says that the event cannot be rescheduled and that the summer’s auctions are held on the same dates every year.

Yes, finally we’ve found something so weird, so obscure, it’s almost a given that nobody on the planet has it. What may I be rambling about you ask? The next generation of celebrity of celebrity figurines or even celebrity busts. Yes, we can only be talking about the Elvis Presley Mr. Potato Head. No, I’m not kidding. Toy company Hasbro introduced the new Elvis line of its celebrity collectibles today and will reportedly limit its run to only 15,000 licensed dolls.

A company known as Profiles in History is set to roll out one of the largest auctions of television and movie memorabilia this year when they open up bidding on dozens of props, celebrity photos and celebrity collectibles. The three-day auction, which will take place in Calabasas, California, will also feature famous pieces of clothing, including a dress once owned by Marilyn Monroe.

A note for anyone who collects Wizard of Oz memorabilia, one of the more interesting pieces that will hit the block will be the black pointy hat worn by none other than the Wicked Witch of the West in the 1939 film.

The auction runs from June 10th through the 12th.

Established as one of the biggest pop-rock acts of the last fifteen years, California rockers No Doubt are getting set to auction off pieces of the band’s music memorabilia to benefit four Orange County charities. Featuring autographed musical instruments like signed guitars, concert-worn costumes and pieces of exclusive tour merchandise from their 2009 summer, the auction to benefit the Children’s Hospital of Orange County, ALS Association Orange County Chapter, charity:water and Animals Acres runs through June 11th on eBay.

Being granted backstage passes to see the Beatles in England during the 1960’s would have been pretty sweet. Getting to meet the Fab Four and scoring John Lennon and Paul McCartney autographs, well that’s pretty sweet too. One young woman was granted both such opportunities back in 1963 when the Beatles played a gig at the Majestic Ballroom in Hull.

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Almost 50 years since their famous encounter, a piece of Beatles memorabilia is hitting the auction block in the formed of two Beatles autographed records.

The auction will kick off later this week in London, with the autographed copy of the Beatles’ Love Me Do expected to bring in around $10,000.