Peter Fonda's "Captain America" Flag Brings $89,625 in Heritage Auction!

Dallas, TX: The "Captain America" flag worn on actor Peter Fonda's leather jacket in the famous film, "Easy Rider," sold for $89,625 in the Music and Entertainment Auction conducted, October 6 and 7, 2007, by Heritage Auction Galleries of Dallas, Texas. The auction realized $1,238,591 and included other items consigned by Fonda as well a wide range of memorabilia related to Peter Frampton, Elvis Presley and even Abbott and Costello.

"This was an extremely exciting event," said Doug Norwine, Director of Music and Entertainment Auctions for Heritage, "highlighted by wonderful material from the personal collection of iconic actor, Peter Fonda. The top lot in the auction was Fonda's 'Captain America' flag from his 1969 movie, 'Easy Rider,' realizing $89,625. The prototype Rolex wristwatch he wore in the same film realized $33,460."

Names of the buyers were not revealed.

"Vintage film fans were quite active in this auction," Norwine said, "with material related to classic stars realizing stratospheric prices. One Laurel and Hardy collector walked away with a spectacular archive of contracts relating to that famous duo's time at Hal Roach Studios, from 1923 to 1939. The lot, which included Oliver Hardy's will, sold for $47,800. We also had the privilege of selling a pair of masks that were screen-worn by Bud Abbott and Lou Costello in Abbot and Costello Meets Frankenstein, both from the personal collection of noted make-up artist Emil Lavigne. The Abbott mask brought $10,157, while the Costello mask realized $7,767."

"Of course, music fans had plenty to compete for," said Norwine. "Collectible instruments were an extremely strong category in this auction. Some of the top highlights were Eric Clapton's stage-played Gibson Firebird guitar, which brought $36,000, Bruce 'Mr. Tambourine Man' Langhorne's 1920 Martin guitar that sold for $35,850, Benny Goodman's clarinet, that fetched $28,680, and Harry James' personally owned and stage-played trumpet, which realized $28,680."

Norwine continued, "Elvis-related items couldn't have been hotter in this auction. The top lot in this category was a set of Elvis Presley Sun 45s from 1954-55, all in spectacular mint condition, that brought a solid $16,730, while his white dinner suit sold for $11,352 and a red velvet jacket owned and worn by the King fetched $10,755."

"These are just a few of the solid results achieved in this exciting auction," Norwine said. "We're already hard at work on our next Signature auction, which will be chock-full of treasures from the Music and Entertainment worlds. Of course, interested collectors should keep an eye on our website, www.HA.com, where they'll be able to see the auction grow, and get a first look at all the magnificent pieces we'll be presenting in the Spring."

Heritage's Music and Entertainment Auction realized $1,238,591 for 1,364 lots offered, although after-auction sales are still ongoing, and a Final Session, to be held Friday, October 12, is expected to push the total to even higher levels.

Heritage Auction Galleries will hold their next Music and Entertainment Signature auction on April 5 & 6, 2008, at their headquarters in Dallas, TX.

Highlights of the auction included:

Peter Fonda's "Captain America" Flag from Easy Rider: REALIZED: $89,625

Laurel and Hardy's Complete Hal Roach Studio Archive of Contracts from 1923 to 1939, with Dozens of Their Signatures, Plus Oliver Hardy's Last Will and Testament: REALIZED: $47,800

Eric Clapton's Stage-Played Gibson Firebird Guitar: REALIZED: $36,000

"Mr. Tambourine Man" Bruce Langhorne's 1920 Martin 1-21 Guitar -- Folk-Rock Sound of the '60s: REALIZED: $35,850

Peter Fonda's Prototype Gold Rolex Worn In "Easy Rider": REALIZED: $33,460

Benny Goodman's Clarinet: REALIZED: $28,680

Harry James Personally Owned and Stage-Played Trumpet: REALIZED: $28,680

1961 Gibson Les Paul SG. Serial number 34573: REALIZED: $22,705

The Beatles Second Album Promotional Poster (Capitol, 1964): REALIZED: $20,315

Elvis Presley Sun Records Set of 5 (Sun, 1954-55): REALIZED: $16,730

Janis Joplin's Knit Dress: REALIZED: $14,340

Buddy Holly and the Crickets Autographed British Tour Program Book: REALIZED: $14,340

Elvis' White Dinner Suit: REALIZED: $11,352

Elvis Owned and Worn Red Velvet Jacket: REALIZED: $10,755

Bud Abbott's Screen-Worn Mask from "Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein": REALIZED: $10,157

Lou Costello's Mask from "Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein": REALIZED: $7,767

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 Entertainment, Celebrity or Hollywood memorabilia are invited to visit www.HA.com/Sell. Or simply email Doug Norwine at DougN@HA.com or call 1-800-8782-6467, ext. 1452.

To reserve your copy of any Heritage auction catalog, please contact Client Services at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 1150, or visit www.HA.com/Catalog to order by email.