Lot 332

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Description:

Katharine Hepburn Gifted Lalique Eagle Head Paperweight With Original Transmittal ALS

A lot related to American actress Katharine Hepburn (1907-2003), including an autograph letter signed with 20+ words inscribed in her hand, as well the actual item alluded to in Hepburn's letter, a Lalique eagle head glass paperweight gifted to a "Judge Dontzin."

The lot consists of:

1. A 1p autograph letter signed by Hepburn, as "Katharine Hepburn" near the bottom. Also co-signed by Hepburn's goddaughter Valentina Fratti, as "Valentina Fratti." July 25, 1991, [New York, New York]. Hepburn inscribed her message on a custom card embossed on the cover with Hepburn's name, as "Katharine Houghton Hepburn," and with her longtime Midtown East address, as "244 East Forty-ninth Street." Isolated edge darkening, else near fine, the tented card measuring 3.875" x 3" folded.

Inscribed by Hepburn in full as:

"Dear Judge Dontzin,

You are an angel to marry 'us' off - They are thrilled - and so am I.

You are our Eagle!

[signed] Katharine Hepburn
[signed] Valentina Fratti

[in other hand, probably Fratti's] VII - 25 - 1991."

Hepburn lived in a townhouse at 244 East 49th Street in the Turtle Bay Gardens neighborhood of a nationally recognized historic district in Midtown East from 1931 until the mid-1990s. Hepburn's residence, now a renovated 4-storey 4,600-sq-ft single-family home, can be rented for $35,000 a month at the time of this writing, in June 2022!

2. A Lalique Eagle Head ("Tête d'Aigle") clear and frosted glass paperweight, a post-war example after the original 1928 car hood ornament design. Etched "Lalique France" on the underside of the base. A shallow flake is located on the underside of the eagle's beak, hardly noticeable, and there is expected superficial wear to the base, else near fine. The paperweight measures approximately 4.5" x 5.5." x 3.375."

In this letter, Katharine Hepburn makes a whimsical allusion to an unknown "marriage." The content of the letter deserves further investigation, especially considering Hepburn's use of the term "us" to represent herself and her goddaughter Valetina Fratti. Valentina Fratti was the daughter of classically trained concert pianist Laura Fratti, who had coached Hepburn for her role as Clara Schumann in the 1947 MGM romantic drama "Song of Love."

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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August 17, 2022 10:30 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000