James Gandolfini's Tony Soprano Costumes Lead Christie's Pop Culture Auction, June 25, New York Christie’s Pop Culture auction on June 25 in New York will include a range of
collectibles celebrating the diverse nature of American popular culture.
News-Antique.com - Jun 10,2008 - New York – Christie’s Pop Culture auction on June 25 in New York will include a range of
collectibles celebrating the diverse nature of American popular culture — from 1930s comic strips
to the current craze for vinyl designer toys. The sale will offer approximately 330 lots of Hollywood
memorabilia, Rock and Roll memorabilia, animation and comic art, space memorabilia, and a
collection of designer toys. Also featured is a collection of costumes from James Gandolfini’s role
as Tony Soprano in The Soprano’s, which will benefit Wounded Warrior Project (see separate press
release.)
TOYS
Appearing for the first time at auction will be a section of limited edition original art toys from
Kidrobot, the premier creator and retailer of art toys and apparel. These toys are reflective of a
growing artistic movement which merges urban street trends, fashion,
and pop art to produce limited edition, collectible toys. These designer toys made by contemporary artists have become further
recognized as innovative art objects when 13 pieces were accepted into the permanent collection at The Museum of Modern Art’s in
2007, and in 2006 the toys were also the centerpiece of the Cooper-
Hewitt Smithsonian Museum Design Triennial.
Among the Kidrobot toys offered in the auction are various models of the Dunny, a vinyl rabbit-like
figure which artists use as a blank canvas to create their quirky designs that often mix pop culture
ideas of fashion, cartoons, graffiti, comics, music, and fine art. Dunnies by artists Huck Gee, Gary
Baseman, Deph, Doze Green and Sket One are featured, with estimates ranging from $400-5,000.
Joe Ledbetter works include a vinyl yellow Mr. Bunny, accompanied by its
original box (estimate: $1,000-2,000) and a painting The Defender (estimate:
$3,000-5,000). The whimsical creations of Natalia Gianinazzi include a giant
plush soft toy, a Grusli, accompanied by his mouse (estimate: $1,500-2,000).
From the artist with a cult-like fan base,
Suckadelic has built his notoriety by
blending nerdy obsessions with hipster
cool, as demonstrated by Graff-At, a graffiti covered and
customized Star Wars AT-AT Walker (estimate: $1,500-2,000),
and Gay Empire Attack! a series of 40 pink colored Star Wars
Storm Trooper figures attached to a plastic backboard
(estimate: $1,500-2,000).
HOLLYWOOD MEMORABILIA
Leading the selection of film memorabilia is an Academy Award statue presented to
cinematographer Joseph Lipkowitz for his contribution to Prelude to War, best
documentary feature of 1942 (estimate: $15,000-20,000). The film was produced by the
U.S. Army Special Service Division and directed by the renowned Frank Capra and it
was used as a U.S. Army training film prior to its theatrical release.
King Kong memorabilia from the estate of Willis O’Brien, a pioneer
in motion picture special effects, features a handcrafted plaster, preproduction
model head of King Kong by O’Brien (estimate: $6,000-
8,000). One of the earliest known renditions from the 1933 film, King Kong has
detailed features and teeth and is approximately two inches high — a minute
version of the motion picture giant.
A number of Walt Disney Studios plaster models used for animation
