Personally owned property and never-before-seen keepsakes cherished by Shirley Temple Black, ranging from a large eight-carat diamond ring to two pairs of childhood tap shoes worn by “America’s Little Darling,” will make their debut at Heritage Auctions on Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 5 and 6. The two-day session is a special sale celebrating the legacy of the famed child movie star and ranking U.S. diplomat.
“Shirley Temple smiled and danced her talented way into the nation’s heart at a time when there was little hope for prosperity,” said Carolyn Mani, consignment director at Heritage Auctions. “We are proud to represent Shirley’s family and honored to offer a collection of special items spanning her entire life.”
As an actress, singer and dancer, Shirley Temple was Hollywood's number one box-office star from 1935 to 1938. As an adult, Shirley Temple Black served as U.S. Ambassador both to Ghana and to Czechoslovakia, and as the first woman U.S. Chief of Protocol. The property being offered at Heritage is consigned directly from her family.
The property will be offered across two auctions. The first day will be a jewelry auction and will offer special items from her collection of high-end jewelry, including an eight-carat diamond platinum ring (est. $75,000) and a beloved Art Deco diamond, ruby, black onyx, coral, platinum bracelet (est. $10,000), which was given to her by her childhood co-star and friend Bill “Bojangles” Robinson. Also offered in the jewelry session will be a rare, French turquoise, enamel, gold bracelet Schlumberger for Tiffany & Co. (est. $10,000); a ruby, diamond platinum “Orchestra” bracelet attributed to William Ruser (est. $10,000); and a marquise-cut diamond platinum ring of 2.53 carats, flanked by tapered baguette-cut diamonds, marked Ruser (est. $10,000).
On day two, fans and collectors can bid to own items from “Shirley at Home,” a dedicated presentation of Shirley’s very own collection, including a Tiffany Studios Nasturtium lamp and shade (est. $70,000) and many other examples of fine and decorative arts. Among the rarities is a 19th-century French gilt-bronze figural bastille clock, “the execution of Marie Antoinette,” presented to Shirley as a 21st birthday gift from Harry Luckman, Shirley’s director for her film “Bright Eyes” (est. $3,000).
“Few people realize that Ambassador Black was a lifelong collector,” said Mani. “Her impeccable eye and love of interior decorating resulted in a diverse and extraordinary selection of furnishings either purchased by or given directly to her during her lifetime.”
Included among the home furnishings offered on day two are a Cambodian bronze head of Buddha with stand (est. $400); a Spanish Baroque library table from the early 18th-century (est. $3,000); a woven cane and rattan bar cart, purchased during the 1937 Temple-family vacation to Hawaii (est. $1,000); and a Minton dinnerware service for 12 with serving platters (est. $3,000). Also to be sold will be a Baroque carved walnut refectory table with provenance from the William Randolph Hearst collection (est. $5,000).
A selection of notable awards presented to Shirley to be sold includes the 1988 Mahatma Gandhi Humanitarian award (est. $3,000); the Second Annual Children's Hall of Fame award in the form of Dorothy’s “Wizard of Oz” ruby red-sequined slipper (est. $1,000); and a group of five items relating to her being named a Dame of Malta, including a proclamation and her ceremonial red cloak and sword (est. $2,000).
A large oil-on-canvas portrait, painted by cousin Robert Temple Ayres, the noted illustrator, portraying a late-teens Shirley holding the script to her Columbia Pictures’ 1945 movie “Kiss and Tell” (est. $3,000) is among the offerings. Ayres is also known as the artist who did the original Bonanza map that burned in the beginning of each television episode.
For additional information, visit www.HA.com.