James Dean letter, penned months before his death, could bring $15,000+ at auction in Beverly Hills

Written in response to a fan letter about East of Eden; to be auctioned on July 17

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – A letter written and signed to a fan by legendary actor James Dean, just two-and-a-half months before his promising career was cut short by a fatal car accident on a lonely stretch of California road, is expected to bring $15,000+ as part of Heritage Auction Galleries Beverly Hills July 17 Music & Entertainment Auction, 9478 West Olympic Boulevard.

It is estimated at $15,000+

“Due to James Dean’s short life and brief career, handwritten and/or autographed items such as this are few and far between, especially an autograph of this size,” said Doug Norwine, Director of Music & Entertainment Auctions at Heritage, “and Dean's tragic and sudden passing instantly elevated him to icon status, making his autograph highly desirable.”

This single-page typed letter is on a 5.5" x 7" sheet of Dean's personal stationery, dated June 11, 1955 – as noted above, just two-and-a-half months before his death – and signed at the bottom by the great actor in black ink. It reads:

"Dear Robert: Thanks so much for your letter, with its generous praise. 'East of Eden' was, I think, an unusual and sensitive motion picture. Playing Cal was gratifying, and praise such as yours makes me feel that it was a worthwhile undertaking. Thanks again, and all the best in life to you. Sincerely, James Dean."

One of the most prominent rising stars working in Hollywood in the 1950s, James Dean appeared in only three feature films – East of Eden, Rebel Without a Cause and Giant, each of them a classic – before he wrecked his silver Porsche on a California highway, at age 24. The outpouring of grief surrounding his death was akin only to the death of Rudolph Valentino decades before, and propelled the legacy of the talented young actor into the realm of the legendary.

“James Dean’s popularity, along with his legend, has only grown in the 55 years since his death,” said Norwine. “This is a very rare opportunity to own one of the finest pieces of James Dean memorabilia known, and it will be a superb centerpiece for a very advanced collection.”

The letter is in is accompanied by the original mailing envelope, postmarked June 13, 1955.

Heritage Auctions, founded by Steve Ivy and Jim Halperin, is the world’s third largest auction house, with annual sales more than $600 million, and 500,000+ registered online bidder members. For more information about Heritage Auctions, and to join and gain access to a complete record of prices realized, along with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit HA.com.

Want to get the up-to-the-minute updates and breaking news stories about Heritage Auctions? Get them as they happen at: Twitter.com/HeritagePress; Twitter.com/JimHalperin; Facebook: Heritage Auction Galleries. To view a compete archive of Heritage press releases go to: HA.com/PR. To link to this press release on your blog or Website: HA.com/PR-1864.