Kruse GWS Auctions, the world-record breaking auction house specializing in entertainment memorabilia, fine jewelry, master timepieces and Royal artifacts, has announced the “Artifacts of Hollywood & Music” auction to take place Saturday, March 30, 2024.
The auction features an extraordinary collection of personal artifacts from Elvis Presley and career highlights from some of the world’s most celebrated musical artists including Prince, Taylor Swift, Little Richard, Michael Jackson, Cher, Metallica and more.
The “Artifacts of Hollywood & Music” auction will feature rare highlights from Elvis Presley’s life and career including Elvis’ receipt from when he purchased Priscilla’s wedding ring set – never before offered at auction; Elvis Presley Signed 1956 Songwriters Contract for “Let Me;” an Elvis Presley Army Discharge Letter from March 5, 1960; a Green Barrel Backed Chair from Elvis’ Hillcrest Home; Elvis Presley Gold Tribute Albums including those for “Blue Hawaii,” “His Hand in Mine” and “Elvis Now” and more. Kruse GWS Auctions is recognized as the preeminent expert on Elvis memorabilia having broken world records in past auctions.
But Elvis isn’t the only artist being celebrated at the “Artifacts of Hollywood & Music” auction event. Collectors can bid on items that have played a significant role in music history including Prince’s 1985 Purple Rain Tour Tambourine; Taylor Swift’s Coral Dress Worn on Access Hollywood in 2015; a Taylor Swift Peach Dress worn Backstage on the Speak Now Tour and Waylon Jennings Music Video Used Hascal Haile guitar. Audrey Hepburn’s Black Ralph Lauren Leather Gloves and Marilyn Monroe’s personally owned Clip On Earrings are amongst the Hollywood highlights.
As part of the “Artifacts of Hollywood & Music,” the collection of Hollywood’s first action hero of color, Richard Roundtree, will be offered. A massive collection of iconic fashions worn by the man better known as “Shaft” and who single-handedly changed the industry for leading men in the 1970s, will be offered for the very first time at auction and benefit charity.
Anyone that knows anything about television and film of the 1970s will quickly recognize “Shaft” and the iconic role Roundtree played as the ultra-cool detective who wore stylish hats, long coats and heavy jewelry. He is largely considered the first action hero of color and left his mark on the industry when making his feature debut as “Shaft.”
This special section of the auction will feature personal jewelry, fashions, and career related artifacts from Roundtree’s life and career. Most importantly a portion of the proceeds will benefit Project Row Houses, (projectrowhouses.org) a community platform that enriches lives through art with an emphasis on cultural identity and its impact on the urban landscape (PRH). The charitable organization is important to both the founder and lead auctioneer of Kruse GWS Auctions – Brigitte Kruse and the Roundtree family.
When Kruse GWS was selected to represent the Richard Roundtree collection it was truly one of the biggest honors of my career. Mr. Roundtree is and will always be an icon. His legacy deserves the utmost respect. We truly believe his collection will be pivotal in advancing an emerging market and opportunities for more African American artists in the future. Kruse GWS Auctions will me a donation to Project Row Houses in Mr. Roundtree’s memory.” – Brigitte Kruse, Founder and Lead Auctioneer, Kruse GWS Auctions
The “Collection of Richard Roundtree” highlights include a collection of those famous hats including his Custom Hatters Beaver Fur Felt Hat; a Lot of 4 Goorin Bros Fedoras with Hat Box; Stetson Fedoras, and a selection of caps worn by the star.
