Bela Lugosi's Dracula cape fails to sell at Auction!

[_____V_____]

The Dracula cape worn by Bela Lugosi in the 1931 Universal classic film failed to sell in the first session of the Icons of Hollywood auction at Profiles in History on December 16th.

The starting price of $1,200,000 may have been overly optimistic, but the cape wasn’t the only iconic Hollywood artifact that priced itself out of a sale. A pair of Judy Garland’s ruby slippers from the Wizard of Oz scared off potential buyers with its starting price of $2,000,000.

The surprise announcement that Bela Lugosi Jr. was auctioning his father’s cape caused consternation amongst fans. Not only were they mystified by his decision to sell such an important heirloom, which was left him by his mother, Lillian, upon her death in 1981, they also feared that the cape would disappear into the vault of an investor or be buried away in a private collection.

The cape (Lot 589) wasn’t the only item to be put up for auction by Lugosi Jr. Among various photographs, posters and lobby cards, two were of such a personal nature that his desire to sell them seems even more surprising than his wish to sell the cape. Inscribed, “To the Sweetest Good Mother of Mine,” a 1905 Hungarian portrait of Bela failed to reach its starting price of $1,000, while a 1940s portrait inscribed by Bela to his wife Lillian sold for $2,250. The highest selling lot was Bela’s own jumbo lobby card from Dracula, which sold for $22,500.

In addition to the lots from Bela’s estate and family, five other items, including photographs from Bela’s own collection, were offered for sale. The most interesting lot, however, was a pair of Bela’s 1930s wingtip shoes, which fetched $1,600.

Details and photos of all Bela Lugosi collectibles put up for auction - http://beladraculalugosi.wordpress.c...ll-at-auction/

[hammerfan]

I'm confused, I thought Bela Lugosi was buried in his Dracula costume, including the cape?

[newb]

Originally Posted by hammerfan

I'm confused, I thought Bela Lugosi was buried in his Dracula costume, including the cape?

yeah......me to

[ZombieDrone]

I always heard that Bela was buried in one of his capes. There were some he wasn't buried in.

He did after all, play the role several times.

[_____V_____]

Lugosi was buried in a lighter weight version of his Dracula cape, which he wore throughout his career in the films and on the stage. The one up for auction is the original one he wore in the 1931 Dracula.

The cape is screen-used and consigned by his son directly. Prior to his death in 1956, Bela Lugosi gave the cape to his wife of 20 years, Lillian Lugosi, and the mother of Bela Jr., telling her that it was the cape from the film and to keep the cape for his son. Upon Lugosi's death in 1956, the family decided that he should be buried in his Dracula costume. Given Bela Lugosi’s wish that his son should have the cape, the family dressed the body in a lighter weight version of the cape he used when making personal appearances. Lillian retained the original 1931 cape and left it, along with her other possessions, to Bela Jr. upon her death in 1981. It has remained in his possession continuously. Without question, this is the greatest single horror garment in cinema history. The auction pre-sale estimate is $1,500,000 - $2,000,000.

http://www.profilesinhistory.com/pre...-press-release

[hammerfan]

Ah, got it. Thanks, V!

[cheebacheeba]

HOLY SHIT!!!
I just read this yesterday and thought I'd follow it up just to see what happened. I just bought it for $850.00usd