LOS ANGELES – Abell Auction Co.’s June 17 online auction of items from Carol Channing’s (1921-2019) Southern California estate drew tremendous activity across all lots, with every piece sold. Buyers ranged from fans and admirers to collectors of entertainment memorabilia. Totaling approximately $406,000, the auction featured Tony and Golden Globe awards received by the Broadway legend, as well as stage-worn costumes, photos, artwork and other personal belongings.
In honor of Channing’s lifelong legacy of philanthropy, Abell will donate $8,500 each – a sum representing five percent of the buyer’s premium – to the charities Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and Channing’s alma mater, Bennington College.
Each personally owned article from Channing’s estate allowed a glimpse into her unique career, lifestyle, and legacy. The iconic Harmonia Gardens scene costume from her role as Dolly Levi in Hello, Dolly! sold for $23,750, and the 1964 American Theatre Wing Tony Award sold for $28,125.
Other standout items included:
The 1968 Golden Globe Award she received for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture, which sold for $20,000
A Carol Channing Hello, Dolly! annotated script, which sold for $13,750
An Al Hirschfeld drawing titled Carol Channing Holding a Crystal Ball from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, which sold for $11,250
The silver-sequined dress Carol Channing wore at the 2004 Tony Awards, which sold for $5,625
A drawing of Carol Channing by Tommy Tune, which sold for $5,625
An ‘Absolut Carol’ poster bearing Channing’s signature, which sold for $4,375
“Abell is honored that we had the opportunity to present a stunning collection from the exceptional career and life of Carol Channing, and is thrilled at the auction’s success, which will allow us to provide significant donations to charities in her honor,” said Senior Vice-President of Business Development Joe Baratta.
Channing is best known for her enduring role as Dolly Levi in 1964’s Hello, Dolly!, for which she won her first Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical and later performed major revival runs. She appeared in the musical at least 5,000 times during her lifetime. Rising to stardom on her dazzling smile and comedic timing, Channing’s stage credits also include Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1949), Lorelei (1974), Sugar Babies (1980) and Jerry’s Girls (1984).
Channing’s Broadway success led to many television appearances and movie roles, most notably the 1967 film version of Thoroughly Modern Millie, which earned her a Golden Globe Award. She also received many other prestigious honors, including two additional Tony Awards for Special Achievement, in 1968 and 1995, and the Oscar Hammerstein Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2004.
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