Here's an update on Julien's Auctions' upcoming sale of an extraordinary collection of personal property from the legendary entertainer Bette Midler on Saturday November 12.
Midler is one of the few performers who are instantly known by their first name, and is regarded by all as "The Divine Miss M." Since her debut album in 1972, she has sold over 30 million records worldwide.
 Bette Midler's Vegas Showgirl |
Her Oscar-nominated role in "The Rose" established her as a premier actress in motion pictures, and she has conquered the worlds of Broadway, television and the concert stage in a career that spans over 40 years.
Her awards include Grammys, Emmys, Tonys, Golden Globes, a People's Choice Award, Oscar nominations, and record-breaking box office sales for her concert tours.
Most recently, Midler completed a sold-out, two-year run in Las Vegas in "The Showgirl Must Go On", and received an Emmy nomination in 2011 for the HBO film of the same name.
The auction will feature some of Ms. Midler's most iconic and instantly recognisable looks, including her famous mermaid costume, stage costumes designed by Bob Mackie, designer dresses from Valentino, vintage Emilio Pucci, and costumes featured on her record covers.
Highlights include:
* Performance Costume By Bob Mackie (Est. $2000 - $3000). Created by Bob Mackie for Midler, worn during the Bette! Devine Madness tour. Midler opened the show in this ensemble singing "Big Noise from Winnetka"
* Album Cover Dress (Est. $2000 - $3000). Featured on the back cover of the 1972 debut album The Divine Miss M, and subsequently on the front cover of the 1976 album Songs For The New Depression
* Vegas Showgirl Costume (Est. $2000 - $3000). Worn by Midler during performances of the 2008 - 2010 show at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace Las Vegas, The Showgirl Must Go On.
 Bette Midler's Academy Award Gown By Valentino (Est. $1000 - $1500) |
Given the popularity enjoyed by Midler's fellow Hollywood belles - including Barbra Streisand and Debbie Reynolds' recent sale of dresses worn by Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn and others - these items could end up exceeding their estimates when the auction on November 12.
In fact, there promises to be plenty of buzz in the celebrity dress markets in coming months. Gowns worn by Elizabeth Taylor and, as we reported earlier today, the late UK soul singer Amy Winehouse will go up for auction in coming weeks.
Paul Fraser Collectibles missed out on Marilyn Monroe's dress from The Seven Year Itch when we bid by phone in the Debbie Reynolds Collection sale, earlier this year. Our maximum budget was $2m yet Monroe's dress value shot all the way up to $5.6m.
However, we've since invested in other coveted celebrity dresses like the example worn by Dorothy Stratten, pictured above. It is priced at just £950, a fraction of the price of other celebrity dresses.
Funds from Julien's sale will be donated to Midler's New York Restoration Project (NYRP). Watch this space for upcoming news on the auction.
The Exhibition of The Collection of Bette Midler is free to the public and is open on Monday-to-Saturday from October 31 to November 11, 2011.
