With items from Mel Blanc’s estate going up for bidding next month, animation fans can own a piece in history.
Personal items such as his own studio microphone, several signed items and much more will be up for bidding as an exclusive presentation as part of Julien’s Auctions Icons & Idols: Hollywood Classics and Legends, taking place December 3 at Julien’s Auctions in Beverly Hills and online.
The collection includes other items such as a folder containing Jewish jokes and Yiddish ones he wrote, and which was registered at the Writers Guild of America West. The item is also expected to be sold for $300-$500.
Auction: Animation fans will be able to own a piece of history with items from the estate of iconic voice artist Mel Blanc going up for auction next month
Jokes: Other items as part of the collection range from a folder full of Jewish and Yiddish jokes he wrote and registered with the Writers Guild of America West (expected to fetch $300-$500) to his own personal microphone he recorded voices such as Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and The Flintstones with ($4,000-$6,000)
According to estimates, the most valuable item is an 18K Yellow Gold ID Bracelet, with a box closure.
This bracelet has his name and phone number in cursive at the front.
The 114.9 gram item comes along with the 1983 The Franklin Mint Almanac. The cover features Blanc in the bracelet. The lot is expected to sell for between $5,000 and $7,000.
Bracelet: The most expensive item, according to estimated value, is an 18K Yellow Gold ID Bracelet with a box clasp closure
Number: The bracelet features his name in cursive on the front and ‘Pacific Palisades, Cal’ and presumably his phone number, 213 454-6575, on the back
Almanac: The item weights 114.9 grams and comes with the 1983 The Franklin Mint Almanac,’ showing Blanc on the cover wearing the bracelet, with the lot expected to fetch between $5,000 and $7,000
It is a Sony C-37A microphone from the late 1950s that was used in studios. This microphone, which he called a ‘free-standing tube cone microphone’, has been around for many years because it’s high quality.
Mic stand has a lot of rust and microphone labeled Mike 2. The microphone’s condition is poor.
Also included is a black and white photo of Blanc with Vincent Prince using the microphone. The lot will likely fetch anywhere from $4,000 to $6,000.
Decades: The studio-used microphone is a late 1950s Sony C-37A, ‘free-standing tube condenser microphone’ that he used for ‘decades’ because of its high quality
Not working: The mic stand is heavily rusted with the microphone itself labeled ‘Mike 2,’ and the microphone itself is not in working condition
Also included in the collection is a signed animation cel from 1958 featuring five of Blanc’s famous characters, Porky Pig, Tweety Bird, Bugs Bunny, Sylvester the Cat, and Daffy Duck.
On the background page of the cel, in black fountain pen ink, it reads: “For Pat/ With love From/ Uncle Mel Blanc/ 4/8/58.”
It is estimated that the lot will fetch $800 to $1,200 at an auction.
Cel: Also included in the collection is a signed animation cel from 1958 featuring five of Blanc’s famous characters, Porky Pig, Tweety Bird, Bugs Bunny, Sylvester the Cat, and Daffy Duck
An assortment of Blanc’s documentation for Hanna-Barbera Productions will likely fetch $1,000 to $2,000.
The collection includes a 1962 contract with Dino and Barney Rubble to act as Dino and Barney Rubble, along with a 1964 letter from Blanc written by William Hanna. It also contains a copy of Fred and Barney.
Blanc’s 1942 Warner Bros. employee card ID, signed by Blanc, is up for purchase. It was on permanent display at Warner Bros. Lot for many years. The auction is likely to bring in between $1,000-$2,000.
Paperwork: A collection of Blanc’s paperwork for Hanna-Barbera Productions is expected to fetch between $1,000 and $2,000
Contract: Among the items is a 1962 contract for voicing Barney Rubble and Dino in The Flintstones and a 1964 letter to Blanc from William Hanna with a print of Fred and Barney
Auction: Also up for sale is Blanc’s signed 1942 Warner Bros. employee ID card, which was on display at the Warner Bros. lot for many years, and is expected to fetch between $1,000 and $2,000 at auction
You can also bid on items from His 1988 Autobiography That’s NOT All Folks! Also included are photocopied pages and the final draft.
It also includes a bound, uncorrected proof of the book. Also included are Blanc’s last printed book. The title page has Blanc’s signature in black felttip ink. Blanc’s name tag from 1988 American Booksellers Association New York City.
It also contains ‘a foamcore cover poster and a cardboard cover poster. The poster has text that reads “Thsufferin’/Thsuccotash.” This lot will likely fetch between $1,000 and $2,000.
Book: Also up for bidding are items from his 1988 autobiography That’s Not All Folks! Includes photocopied pages from his final draft
Included: Also included is, ‘a bound “uncorrected page proof” of the book; the final printed book with Blanc’s black felt-tip ink signature on the title page; Blanc’s name tag when he plugged his book at the 1988 American Booksellers Association in New York City’
Poster: The lot also includes, ‘a foamcore poster of the book’s cover; and a cardboard poster of the book’s cover with added text reading “Thsufferin’/ Thsuccotash,” with the lot expected to go for $1,000 to $2,000
The voice legend’s pocket watch in 14K gold, which he received from his wife, is also expected to be sold between $1,000 and $2,000
It has seven small diamonds and two rubies that total approximately 0.08 ct. on the front.
On the lid, you will find a dial featuring Arabic chapters and subsidiary dials, as well scrolled golden hands. The background is a star- and floral motif.
Watch: Also expected to sell between the $1,000 and $2,000 range is the voice legend’s 14K gold pocket watch
Watch: The lid features a white dial with Arabic chapters, subsidiary dial, and scrolled gold hands, against a star and floral motif background.
Blanc also owns a number of 1960s-era desktop items, which include a Zenith radio and transistor radio.
Additional items include ‘a small standee for a roulette wheel with a sticker at its base that reads “MBA” (for Mel Blanc Associates), and a sterling silver box for smoking. A ballpoint pen is also included, which says in part, “Mel Blanc.”
It also includes “a vermeil key with a Saint Genesius medallion, patron saint of actors, clowns comedians, musicians” and a small blue jewellery box. The whole lot will be worth $300 to $500.
Radio: Another lot features a group of 1950s and 1960s vintage desktop items that Blanc personally owned, including a Zenith transistor radio
An extensive collection, consisting of about 300 pages of handwritten notes, will sell for between $1,000-2,000.
Blanc’s dialogue ranges from the 1960s through the 1980s. He writes jokes and gags for characters, stories, ideas, stats, addresses, trivialities, lists, raunchy thoughts and other things. This is an incredible glimpse into Blanc’s brain! According to the description.
A Blanc original Caricature by Basil Wolverton is also up for sale. Although it is quite fragile, the auction should still bring in between $1,000-2,000,000.
Collection: A large collection of approximately 300 pages of handwritten notes will fetch between $1,000 and $2,000
Caricature: Also up for auction is an original caricature of Blanc by artist Basil Wolverton, which is rather brittle but still expected to fetch between $1,000 and $2,00
Blanc’s leadgers as well as other period documents are expected to be worth between $1,000-2,000.
A second piece of art is a “large colored felt-tip on paper drawing of Mel Blanc, with surrounding cartoon characters that he has voiced throughout the years under the title “That’s Not All Folks!” Paul Madden 1988
This artwork, with the inscribed message “To Mel Blanc/ At the occasion of His 80th Birthday”, is expected to fetch between $500-$800.
Ledgers: A collection of Blanc’s ledgers and other eras that span from the 1950s to the 1970s is expected to fetch between $1,000 and $2,000
Art: Mel Blanc is depicted in a large felt-tip colored pencil on paper drawing. He’s surrounded with cartoon characters that he’s voiced over many decades. By Paul Madden, 1988
Birthday: The artwork is, inscribed “To: Mel Blanc/ On the occasion of his 80th Birthday,’ and is expected to sell for between $500 and $800
Blanc also purchased a 14K Gold Money Clip from Jack Benny. It is estimated to be worth between $2,000-$3,000.
Blanc’s personal 14K gold Dunhill cigarette lighter, with his name inscribed, is another gold item for sale. It should sell between $1,000-2,000.
Expect to pay $300 to $500 for an animation cel of The Flintstones featuring Barney Rubble (the character he voiced)
Blanc’s 14K Yellow Gold Dunhill Cigarette Lighter with his Name Engraved is another gold item for sale. It should sell between $1,000-2,000.
Animation: An animation cel from The Flintstones, featuring the character he voiced, Barney Rubble, is expected to fetch $300 to $500
An assortment of humor called “Jooish” that includes “dozens of pages of stories and gags mimeographed about Jewishness,” is expected to fetch $300-500.
A 1972 California driver’s license featuring the address of the voice artist, Pacific Palisades, is expected to fetch between $400 and $600.
This custom bomber jacket features Bugs Bunny’s famous catch phrase “What’s up Doc?” Expect it to sell for $600-$800.
Jokes: A collection of jokes entitled ‘Jooish,’ featuring, ‘dozens of mimeographed pages of gags, stories, and jokes about being Jewish,’ is said to sell for $300 to $500.
License: The voice artist’s 1972 California driver’s licence, featuring his Pacific Palisades address, will fetch $400 to $600
Bomber: His custom bomber jacket featuring Bugs Bunny’s catch phrase, ‘What’s up Doc?’ Expect it to sell for $600-$800
Two original print black-and white photos of Mel Blanc, 1961, dressed up in Bugs Bunny costume, are expected to fetch between $100 and $200.
You will also find a contract from Jack Benny in 1970 ($400 to$600), a color photograph signed by Blanc and President Ronald Reagan ($400–$600) and Cartier custom eyeglasses ($500 to $700).
It will be held December 3.
Set: A set of two original print black and white photographs of Mel Blanc in 1961 dressed up as the most famous cartoon character he voiced, Bugs Bunny, will fetch $100 and $200.
Contract: Other items include a 1970 contract for a Jack Benny special ($400-$600)
Photo: a signed color photograph with Blanc and President Ronald Reagan ($400-$600)
Custom: custom Cartier eyeglasses ($500-$700)
Academy: A group of nine membership cards from the AMPAS ranging in date from 1955 to 1981, all noting that Mel Blanc was a “Member in Good Standing.” Blanc signed five of them in black felt-tip pen ink with the margins at the bottom ($1,000-$2,000).
SAG: A group of 22 Screen Actors Guild cards spanning 40 years, from 1947 to 1987, with five signed in either blue or black ballpoint ink “Mel J. Blanc” ($1,000-$2,000)
Jewish cardss: A group of 14 membership cards ranging in date from 1950 to 1959 for various Jewish organizations to which Mel Blanc belonged, including the Federation of Jewish Welfare Organizations, the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, the Santa Monica Temple Association, The National Conference of Christians and Jews, and the American Friends of the Hebrew University, among a couple of others ($300-$500)