Star Wars gems available as Peter Cushing memorabillia goes up for auction in Kent this weekend
Star Wars set slippers, typewriter and Dr Frankenstein gems all part of the auction
Star Wars set slippers - All images by Canterbury Auction house
Rare and fascinating memorabilia from the estate of acting legend, Peter Cushing OBE, comes up for auction at a special sale on October 1st at the Canterbury Auction Galleries, Kent.
With an acting career spanning six decades, from Star Wars to the Hammer House of Horror films, Sherlock Holmes, Laurel and Hardy and even Dr Who, the highly personal items range from sketches, scrapbooks, essays and photographs - right up to a famous pair of slippers he reputedly wore on set in Star Wars and a letter informing him of a healthy bonus, bearing a very early Star Wars logo.
With some 400 lots in this special auction, there will be a lot of collectible items for film buffs across the world, but the memorabilia also cast a rare and intimate light on Cushing the man.
He lived with his beloved wife Helen in the Kent seaside town of Whitstable for 35 years while making many of the 91 films in which he starred. His endlessly polite and unassuming manner won the hearts of the whole town.
With his battered deerstalker, bow tie and tweed jacket, Cushing often looked like he had stepped out of another era.
The people of Whitstable were so proud and protective of the international star in their midst, they would conveniently ‘forget’ where he lived if tourists wanted to photograph Cushing’s house.
He would walk and cycle almost daily and stop at the picturesque Tudor Tea Rooms in town and do the day’s newspaper crossword. Whoever served him would usually get a handwritten letter or poem afterwards, talking about their kindness and how it had made his day.
In the working-out space next to the crossword he’d often draw sharp and funny caricatures of the tea room staff and fellow customers. One of many treasures in the sale is an exercise book from 1989-90 with a scores of sharply-drawn caricatures, cut from those newspapers and stuck in, called ‘Characters from The Tudor Tearoom'. The book, containing other sketches and notes, is signed and dated ’90 and has an estimate of £3-400. (See lot 1662.)
They - and many paintings in the sale - reveal him as not just a keen observer but a talented artist, too. He took up painting to deal with the stresses of his acting career and was taught by British artist Edward Seago.
Devastated by his wife’s death in 1971, he went to live with his great friend and assistant of 35 years, Joyce Broughton, and her family. After Joyce’s sad death, they have now decided to release much of the memorabilia for others to appreciate Cushing’s many talents.
Joyce’s daughter Alex said: “Our ‘Uncle’ Peter was a significant figure in all our lives. My late mother’s estate contained a large collection of Peter’s paintings and film memorabilia and correspondence (some of which we did not know existed).
“We think this is a great and rare opportunity for Peter’s large domestic and international fan base to gain some unique insight into his wider career and personal life.”
The actor died in 1994 and his memory there is now a beachfront viewing point named ‘Cushing’s View’ where he would often sit.
Here are just of few of hundreds of lots that particularly caught our eye.
Those slippers – and the crew model of them
Famously, while filming his role as the evil Death Star commander Grand Moff Tarkin in the first 1977 Star Wars film, Cushing’s high leather boots pinched his size 12 feet. He asked director George Lucas if he could wear slippers instead and be filmed from the thighs up! Lucas happily complied.
Now the slippers and a 12ins model of him wearing a tiny pair – by family repute made for him by the Star Wars crew and as displayed in Whitstable - are coming up for auction with an estimated value of £15 – 20,000. Lot 1791.
Star Wars bonus letter
The 1977 film was such a success, Cushing was awarded a bonus of US $6,000 for his “dedication, perseverance, creativity, and hard work” - around £25,000 in today’s money. The rare letter, dated Dec 1977, from producer Gary Kurtz, carries a very early Star Wars logo, with a figure wielding a light sabre. It was first appearance of the now-familiar stacked type on the Star Wars logo. Est £4-500. Lot 1792.
Star Wars production story
Another gem for film buffs are fascinating production notes from 20th Century Fox about the upcoming 1977 film, explaining what is required ‘for true credibility’ and explaining their reasons for choosing Tunisia as a location. Included is a photocopy of a map of Tunisia with three locations highlighted. Est £2-300. Lot 1789
Frankenstein contract
Cushing appeared in various sinister guises – including Baron Frankenstein – in many Hammer horror films. There are many letters and signed photos from this large swathe of his career, including his contract for the 1969 film Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed – the fifth of the series featuring the terrifying Doctor. Est £100-150. Lot 1557.
Watercolour art
Cushing’s talent as an artist grew over the years. This watercolour is titled 'View of the Golf Links, Whitstable, from my studio window (before housing development hid it)'. It’s initialled with a signature, title and dedication ‘to Joyce [Broughton] and Bernard’ on the back. Measuring 14.25ins x 10.75ins it’s estimated at £4-600. Lot 1567.
Another artwork – a still life of fruit in a blue and white bowl – has a warm message from Cushing and his wife on the back reading ‘An impression in watercolour of an oil painting by Grimal. To dear Joyce and Bernard. A little ‘thank you’ for taking me to Ireland on your holiday. May God’s blessing be with you always. Our love as ever, Helen and Peter.’ Est £3-500. Lot 1658.
Original hand-painted silk scarf
In 1946 Peter was 'resting' between plays and painted his wife, Helen, a scarf because he could not afford to buy her a Christmas present. She wore it to the opening night of a play, where it was spotted by a textile manufacturer, who invited him to his mills to learn screen-printing. He took to it and for the rest of that year became a designer and created silk scarves, notably for the Festival of Britain and the Queen’s Coronation. He was thrilled to see the Queen Mother wearing one of his creations when they met in 1956.
This is the beautiful scarf he made for Helen, signed and dated '46. It’s framed with a typed note to verso "Scarf for Helen”. Measuring 28ins x 26ins it’s estimated at £6-800. Lot 1520
Local Hero
Among the many personal photos are these of Cushing taking part in Kent’s The Great Hip Walk, around the Kent County cricket ground in Canterbury in 1989. He was accompanied by friend and secretary Joyce Broughton. Est £80-120. Lot 1657.
A Peter Cushing Sketchbook
4.5ins x 7.5ins, with many pencil drawings, some with watercolour, bound with hardback red leatherette covers £350-500. Lot 1523.
Peter Cushing's Typewriter
Olympia SM4 'De Luxe' cursive typewriter, serial number 1750508, in olive green with travel case, untested but appears to be in good order. £200-300. Lot 1579.
Peter Cushing's Coutts & Co Cheque Book
In the account name of Peter Cushing Productions Ltd, containing thirty-nine blank, signed cheques and eighteen certificates of authenticity signed by Joyce Broughton. £1000-1500 Lot 1661.
'Growing Old Disgracefully'
A three page typed essay by Peter Cushing with corrections in blue ink and signed in blue/black ink, dated 1993. £120-160. Lot 1688.
Correspondence to Peter Cushing of a Royal Nature
Three typed letters and one Christmas card, together with three envelopes, one letter with the Royal crest on Buckingham Palace headed paper dated 20 Jan 1989, one with Prince of Wales crest on Buckingham Palace paper dated 21st October 1985 and one on Balmoral Castle paper signed by Prince Charles dated 12th October 1981 (7). £120-160. Lot 1633.
Vincent Price (1911-1993)
Correspondence to Peter Cushing, one handwritten letter and a birthday note, dated 1988 and 1993 (2). £120-160. Lot 1643.
The sale will be held at the Canterbury Auction Galleries on Sunday October 1st.
Info: www.thecanterburyauctiongalleries.com
