Denim king Robin Chretien‘s vehicular Americana collection rolls into Abell’s Feb. 29

1956 NASCAR six-panel billboard, estimated at $10-$100,000 at Abell.

BELL GARDENS, Calif. — Robin Chretien may have been born in France, but his love for American iconography is unmatched. As a star in the denim apparel industry (he founded and owns Robin’s Jean in Los Angeles), he’s been able to amass a stunning and often highly eclectic collection of vehicular Americana that now comes to auction at Abell’s on Thursday, February 29. View the leap-year catalog and bid now at LiveAuctioneers.

The 231-lot sale is dominated by roadside, neon, and motorcycle artifacts, including a number of Harley-Davidson motorcycles and signs, along with original Indian motorcycle items. Catalog photos reveal that Chretien housed his collection in a large warehouse space, allowing for excellent display of each item.

Requiring a great deal of space are the two vintage billboards in the Chretien collection. The 1956 National Association for Stock Car Advancement and Research billboard shows a contemporary Cadillac test car being directed by a NASCAR employee on a test track in the desert. Mounted to six plywood panels, it’s the ultimate must-have for any NASCAR fan and probably the only survivor left. Like everything in the sale, it carries a $10-$100,000 estimate.

Purchased from the legendary Yoshi at Garage Company of Gardena, California is this purported paint test sample for the gas tank used on the chopper in Dennis Hopper’s 1969 hit Easy Rider.

Chretien is a big fan of Jackie Stanton (b. 1977-), a prolific artist based in Los Angeles whose pop culture and music sensibilities seem 100% in tune with her denim benefactor. Her Warholesque Coco-Cola Bottles from 2009, a 38.25 by 43.25in canvas on a wooden stretcher, was purchased directly from the artist.

Like any good warehouse display space, Chretien also acquired a number of very desirable and vintage neon signs. Based on early bid counts, this will likely be a dominating area of the sale. Navajo Lodge probably dates to the 1930s or 1940s and is mostly original and functional.

Princess Diana and Dennis Hopper garments rubbed shoulders at Julien’s Auctions

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BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — Princess Diana and Dennis Hopper items brought enormous star power to Julien’s Auctions September 6-8, with royalty-worn gowns, art and more delivering for consignors at its Legends: Hollywood and Royalty sale.

Three gowns worn publicly by the late British royal brought staggering sums. Princess Diana’s scarlet metallic jacquard chiffon gown, designed by Bruce Oldfield, was first worn in 1989 and was last seen in 1991 at the London world premiere of Hot Shots starring Charlie Sheen. It hammered at $450,000 ($585,000 with buyer’s premium), topping its estimate of $200,000-$400,000.

Estimated at $100,000-$200,000, a Catherine Walker bi-color gown worn by Princess Diana at a Toronto gala dinner on October 26, 1991, soared to $450,000 ($585,000 with buyer’s premium). Another Catherine Walker gown in ivory silk crepe and black silk velvet, worn by Princess Diana to a private event, hammered at $400,000 ($520,000 with buyer’s premium).

Audrey Hepburn’s screen-worn haute couture evening dress designed by Hubert Givenchy demanded the spotlight, selling for $350,000 ($455,000 with buyer’s premium). The instantly recognizable gown from Blake Edwards’s classic 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany’s topped its estimate of $200,000-$300,000.

A man of many talents and interests, Dennis Hopper (1936-2010) was at the forefront of the worlds of film and art. An avid painter and collector, Hopper helped the nascent careers of people such as Andy Warhol and Ed Ruscha long before their stardom, and artifacts from his estate reflect his long-standing friendships with them.

A collection of items associated with filmmaker and collage artist Wallace Berman (1926-1976) carried a modest estimate of $500-$700, but furious bidding between the floor and internet participants drove the group to $12,500 ($16,250 with buyer’s premium).

A Nudie tuxedo jacket, worn by Hopper to the 42nd Academy Awards where his 1969 film Easy Rider was nominated for Best Original Screenplay, with Jack Nicholson nominated for Best Supporting Actor, sold for $7,500 ($9,750 with buyer’s premium) against an estimate of $1,000-$2,000. Vintage stock images from Alamy show Hopper wearing the jacket alongside Michelle Philips, Jack Nicholson and others on the red carpet.
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Princess Diana’s scarlet metallic jacquard chiffon gown, sold for $450,000 ($585,000 with buyer’s premium) at Julien’s Auctions.
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Princess Diana’s Catherine Walker bi-color gown, sold for $450,000 ($585,000 with buyer’s premium) at Julien’s Auctions.
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Princess Diana’s Catherine Walker white and black gown, sold for $400,000 ($520,000 with buyer’s premium) at Julien’s Auctions.
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Audrey Hepburn Givenchy evening dress from ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s,’ sold for $350,000 ($455,000 with buyer’s premium) at Julien’s Auctions.
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A group of items associated with artist Wallace Berman that belonged to Dennis Hopper, sold for $12,500 ($16,250 with buyer’s premium) at Julien’s Auctions.
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A black Nudie tuxedo jacket, worn by Dennis Hopper to the 42nd Academy Awards, sold for $7,500 ($9,750 with buyer’s premium) at Julien’s Auctions.
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