Original archive of artwork - The Ten Commandments

836. Original archive of artwork from The Ten Commandments from the estate of Producer/Actor Henry Wilcoxon. (Paramount, 1956) This one-of-a-kind collection incorporates over 80 original drawings in graphite and colored pencil by Arnold Friberg, John L. Jensen, William Majors, as well as by associate-producer, Henry Wilcoxon, who played the role of "Pentaur" in the film.

In addition, there are 40 original photographs of artwork taken by Wilcoxon in 1955 and 1956 that were printed in 2008 by Still Photo Lab (who developed the original film on the Paramount lot).

Additionally, the collection includes the complete crew sheets from the 1954 shoot in Egypt, a draft letter to the Los Angeles Times regarding The Voice of God; original notes and dialogue changes in DeMille's and Wilcoxon's hand; a copy of the 1956 Classics Illustrated comic of The Ten Commandments (Condition: A), a copy of the Rand McNally The Ten Commandments for Children, a copy of The Ten Commandments Souvenir Book sold in theaters, and 15 B. Y. U. prints of Arnold Friberg's actor portraits from the DeMille Archives in Salt Lake City as well as vintage stills from the movie.

This is the material Wilcoxon, and biographer Katherine Orrison, used to write the six chapters on The Ten Commandments for the book, Lionheart in Hollywood, as well as most of the chapters of Written in Stone: Making Cecil B DeMille's epic The Ten Commandments.

Some scenes are quick thumbnail sketches done on-the-spot in Egypt by John Jensen, while other scenes are images of elaborate oil paintings done by Friberg in 1954 and 1955 (but not used in the souvenir book).

Some sketches are dated or colored, or have notes in Wilcoxon's hand. Among them are: the first drawings of the Red Sea parting; the burning bush; God writing the Ten Commandments with fire; Mt. Sinai at night; the Exodus; as well as clothes, belts, jewelry and props.

This archive shows Wilcoxon's hands-on approach to the creative side of the look of the film, as well as many of his personal contributions.

Housed in Wilcoxon's leather Ten Commandments script-binder, all stills, drawings, and photos are in plastic sheet protectors with identified artist labels, organized to show the progression of a scene or costume from sketch to painting to final scene stills that adhere to the previous year's work with incredible accuracy.

All of the Friberg costume paintings shot by Wilcoxon in 1955 and 1956 have never been seen outside the studio. $4000 - $6000