Katharine Hepburn Autobiography Manuscript to be Auctioned by Heritage!

DALLAS, TEXAS: Katharine Hepburn was one of the most compelling actresses of her generation. In such films as The Philadelphia Story (1940), Woman of the Year (1942), The African Queen (1951), and Suddenly, Last Summer (1959), she projected an image of an iron-willed, yet vulnerable woman, strong-featured, yet undeniably beautiful. She was, and remains, a yardstick against which all other serious actresses are measured.

Born on May 12, 1907 in Hartford, Connecticut, Hepburn was the daughter of a doctor and a suffragette, both of whom encouraged her in self-expression and self-determination. A naturally shy child, Hepburn overcame these tendencies after graduating from Bryn Mawr College and accepting several roles on Broadway, for which she received much positive attention. It wasn't long before Hollywood sat up and took notice of this fresh young face, and soon the film offers started to come in.

Her first movie, A Bill of Divorcement (1932), in which she starred opposite John Barrymore, was a hit, and she was soon signed to a contract with RKO. Her third film, Morning Glory (1933) earned Hepburn her first Academy Award, and her fourth film Little Women (1933), was another big box office success. Her movie career was off to a fabulous start.

Hepburn's unconventional behavior off-screen (such as daring to wear slacks and her refusal to wear make-up or give interviews) was taking a toll, however, and her 1934 return to Broadway in The Lake was both a critical and popular disaster as audiences and critics alike shunned the now-controversial actress. Her subsequent string of films fared no better, including Break of Hearts (1935), Sylvia Scarlett (1935), Mary of Scotland (1936), Quality Street (1937) and Bringing Up Baby (1938), although the latter has been justly recognized as a classic in the intervening years.

Now tagged as "box office poison," Hepburn took the bold step of returning to Broadway in The Philadelphia Story (1938), and was rewarded with another smash hit. She quickly bought the film rights and returned to Hollywood on her own terms, making the film version in 1940 and gaining another Oscar nomination in the process. Subsequently, she would star in Woman of the Year (1942), a film that would pair her with Spencer Tracy, sparking a chemistry and romance, both on-screen and off, that would last for many years. The film also brought with it another Oscar nod.

By 1951, Hepburn was playing more mature roles, none so magnificently as that of Rose Sayer in The African Queen (another Oscar-nominated role). More critically acclaimed, and commercially successful, films would fill the 1950s, but her output waned during the 1960s as she devoted the majority of her time to caring for an aging Spencer Tracy. 1967's Guess Who's Coming to Dinner would see the last pairing of this legendary couple; Tracy passed away mere weeks after shooting wrapped. Hepburn's second Oscar win may have softened the blow at least a little.

The remainder of Hepburn's career would focus on the small screen: made-for-TV movies, although she did appear in the occasional big-screen feature (1981's On Golden Pond, with Henry Fonda, would be her fourth, and final Oscar win). She retired in 1994, and passed away on June 29, 2003.

"In 1991, Kate Hepburn began the daunting task of writing her autobiography, which she would entitle, simply, 'Me,' said Tom Slater, Director of Americana auctions for Dallas-based Heritage Auction Galleries. "The finished work is a tour-de-force, a pull-no-punches account of a great artist's life."

"Offered in our upcoming auction is a rare glimpse into the private thoughts of one of the most outspoken actresses of stage and screen," Slater said. "More than seventy pieces of yellow lined paper contain Hepburn's handwritten notes for her life story. Several of the passages seem to be taken directly from 'Me' as if Hepburn jotted down notes as she remembered her career. Some of those notes address her very real uncertainty about writing the story at all, such as, 'What is this thing I'm trying to do - writing my life story - what the hell is a Life story. Is it I was born, I did, I died? Or is it a sort of summary of all the happenings which have really made mine personal.'"

"Hepburn was a noted and outspoken supporter of Planned Parenthood," Slater continued, and some of these notes include what appear to be outlines or the beginnings of speeches she was slated to give. For example, 'There was a desperate need for this late law. Now almost 20 years later a new group is threatening to repeal this law. They are threatening to reduce this freedom for women to decide whether or not they wish to produce a child - Why - They say a human life is sacred - I agree but which human life - and the very fact of why women a single sex should bear this burden. Must we not begin to consider quality of life, must we without thinking open the door to all possible sperms & egg combinations we are seriously over populated this...'

"A staunch activist," Slater said, "Hepburn also wrote several notes in an attempt to save a Connecticut River, with a plan to inspire as many people as she could to vote on January 30th. In part she wrote, 'Yes - ashamed of ourselves - & it will be too late - it will be gone never to return. Money will have won again. Reach into your... - think of what could happen - and then reach into your pockets. We must see our river - Vote Yes on January 30th - Ours - your - mine - Now & Forever - We'll find the money.'"

"Most of the pages have been transcribed and the typed transcriptions are included in this lot," Slater said. "This is pure, unfiltered Hepburn, a rare and significant manuscript archive, and a glimpse into the thought processes of the real woman who was also one of the twentieth century's most iconic film superstars."

The Katharine Hepburn Autograph Manuscript of her Autobiography "Me" bears a pre-auction estimate of $25,000 - $35,000.

Heritage Auction Galleries will offer the Katharine Hepburn Autograph Manuscript of her Autobiography "Me" in their upcoming Grand format Autograph Auction, to be held October 12, 2006 at their headquarters in Dallas, TX, with a simulcast in New York City.

For more information about Heritage's auctions, and a complete record of prices realized, along with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit www.HA.com.

Prospective consignors and sellers of political memorabilia, Americana, and related collectibles are invited to visit www.HA.com/Historical and click on the "Sell Now" tab. Or simply email Tom Slater at TomS@HA.com.

To reserve your copy of any Heritage auction catalog, please contact Nicole Jewell at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 272, or visit www.HA.com to order by email.