Popular Culture at Christie's South Kensington

Showcasing important memorabilia dating from the past century of popular culture from the universal industries of film and music, Christie's is proud to present the auction POP CULTURE, taking place on 20 June 2014.

Highlights:

Lot 50

The Swan, 1956/Grace Kelly
A lace empire line day dress by Helen Rose, made for Grace Kelly as Princess Alexandra in the 1956 M.G.M. film The Swan, the lace originally crisp white [discoloured], trimmed with ribboned floral braid and ruffled lace to square neckline, sleeves and skirt [shortened], the trim highlighted with imitation pearl beads at the centre of each flower, the velvet sash originally sky blue [faded] with pearl fringe, lined in blue silk, worn by Grace Kelly as Princess Alexandra when introduced to Alec Guinness as Prince Albert; accompanied by original M.G.M. dry cleaning tag and a facsimile copy of the corresponding pages from the 1970 M.G.M. auction catalogue
Estimate: £30,000 - 50,000

Lot 79
The Beatles/John Lennon
A rare page of lyrics in John Lennon's hand for Being For The Benefit of Mr. Kite!, released on the 1967 Beatles album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, the lyrics written in blue ballpoint pen on a single sheet of paper [partial] with the song's title decorated in black and gold ink Being For The Benifit [sic] of Mr. Kite! comprising approximately half of the complete track including the first verse and majority of the second verse, the reverse inscribed in pencil with additional notes in Lennon's hand assure the public that…having been some days in prep…somersets...last night but three… for particulars see bills of the day
5¼x7½in. (13.5x19cm.), framed
Estimate: £100,000 - 150,000

Lot 125
Oasis/Tony McCarroll
A Pearl export series four-piece drum kit in red sparkle fnish used by Tony McCarroll with Oasis from 1991 to 1995, including on the frst Oasis album Defnitely Maybe, 1995, during Oasis' frst live television performance on The Word, 18 March, 1994, various appearances on Top Of The Pops, 1994-1995 and all UK, European and U.S. Tours 1992-1995, the drumkit comprising: a 23in. (58.5cm.) bass drum; a 16Ωin. (42cm.) foor tom; a 12Ωin. (31.8cm.) high tom; a 13Ωin. (34.3cm.) high tom; two high hat cymbals, two crash cymbals and a ride cymbal, with corresponding pedals,
stands and hardware, all in Pearl soft carrying cases; accompanied by a 14Ωin. (36.8cm.) Pearl Masters

Custom snare drum in a black fnish, with hardshell carrying case [snare possibly not original]; accompanied by a letter from Tony McCarroll (11)
Estimate: £12,000-15,000

Lot 144
The Da Vinci Code, 2006
A working 'cryptex' made for the 2006 Columbia Pictures film The Da Vinci Code, the 'cryptex' of antiqued gilt metal with five imitation marble alphabetical dials which, when arranged in the correct sequence, open the 'cryptex' to reveal a small papyrus scroll wrapped around a glass vial of vinegar, housed in custom pentagonal 'rosewood' box with rose intarsia, removing to reveal a gilt-metal disc at the reverse, engraved in mirror image In London lies a knight a pope interred. His labour's fruit a Holy wrath incurred. You seek the orb that ought be on his tomb. It speaks of Rosy flesh and seeded womb, with larger wooden presentation box; accompanied by a handwritten note on The Da Vinci Code headed notepaper Dear John, Thanks for all your continued support. Warmest regards, Brian [Grazer], Ron [Howard], + Todd [Hallowell]
Estimate: £12,000 - 18,000

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Ends

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Pop Culture

London, South Kensington
20 June 2014
Sale 5446