LOS ANGELES – Julien’s Auctions announced that a total of nearly $3 million was achieved in its two-day virtual online event Property from the Estate of Doris Day held Saturday, April 4, and Sunday, April 5. The white glove auction far exceeded its presale estimates of $300,000 to $600,000. All proceeds of the sale benefit the Doris Day Animal Foundation www.ddaf.org. Absentee and Internet live bidding was available through LiveAuctioneers.
Over 1,100 iconic items and memorabilia owned and used by Hollywood’s legendary top box office star, animal rights advocate and singer in her illustrious life and career, as well as furnishings, household pieces and personal items from Day’s beloved home in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, went under the hammer.
The top-selling item was Doris Day’s 1930 Ford Model A rumble seat roadster (above) used on her show Best Friends. Affectionately named “Buttercup” by Day, she owned this antique automobile for over 35 years where she was frequently driven around Carmel in it, especially when she was filming her cable TV show. Her guest stars on the series were frequent passengers as well, including Rock Hudson in one of his last public appearances. The classic car with 35,142 miles sold for $96,000.
Other top highlights with winning bids included:
– Doris Day’s 2002 Cadillac Escalade SUV ($28,800).
– Her Golden Globe Awards for “World Film/Favorite /Actress” presented to the actress in 1962, accompanied by a newspaper clipping from the era showing the star holding the award alongside her frequent co-star and friend, Rock Hudson ($25,600), in 1957 ($16,000) and in 1959 ($22,400).
– Awards for her hit songs including a Columbia Records Gold Record Award for “Whatever Will Be, Will Be aka Que Sera Sera” from 1956 ($15,625, over fifteen times its original starting estimate) and a Columbia Records Gold Record Award for the song, “Secret Love” ($16,000, well over its estimate of $1,000).
– Two gem-set bird brooches including, a 14K gold brooch worn to her hand and footprint signing ceremony at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre ($15,625, well over its estimate of $1,000) and a beautiful Cartier piece with 27 round diamonds photographed with the star wearing this brooch in the late 1970s (sold for $40,625, far exceeding its original estimate of $800-$1,200).
– Doris Day’s 1940s-era leather cosmetic case ($10,000).
– Her director’s chair from the television show The Doris Day Show ($16,000).
– A 1950s-era Nettie Rosenstein brooch ($10,240).
– A 20-pound brass elephant jardiniere gifted by Rock Hudson to Doris Day ($15,625).
– Wallace sterling flatware service for 12 ($19,200).
– Day’s “Overlook” sign from her home in Carmel Valley ($16,000).
– a 14K gold poodle charm bracelet ($15,625).
– Day’s mother Alma Kappelhoff’s 14K gold and gem-set charm bracelet ($21,875, over ten times its original starting estimate of $2,000).
Artwork included an original oil painting by Tony Bennett ($15,625) and a Doris Day original oil portrait circa 1955, signed “Starkman” ($31,250, over 30 times its original starting estimate of $1,000).
In keeping with the social distancing guidelines and safety measures put in place by the government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Julien’s Auctions staff accepted digital real-time bids via phone and online from remote locations.
In addition, the print catalog for the auction has also seen record numbers as the top-selling catalog sold for a celebrity auction presented by Julien’s Auctions since Michael Jackson.
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