Mar 18, 2026 10:00 EST
Stage & Screen Featuring The Estate of Charles Strouse & Barbara Siman
132
A rare David O. Selznick presentation screenplay with photographs of Gone With the Wind
SELZNICK, DAVID
"Gone With the Wind" from the novel by Margaret Mitchell... Screen Play by Sidney Howard. Produced by David O. Selznick. Directed by Victor Fleming. Final Shooting Script January 24, 1939. [Hollywood:] Selznick International, 1939. Inscribed by Selznick to Jack Cosgrove on the first blank "For Jack,/who was always/willing to try/the impossible—/and who always/achieved it!/With gratitude for/a great job./DOS/Xmas 1939." Original yellow wrappers bound-in (the front wrapper titled as above), bound contemporary custom red half morocco (the spine now renewed), front board and spine lettered in gilt, five raised bands on spine, plain gray endleaves, bound for Selznick for presentation to Jack Cosgrove, with his name stamped in gilt on the front board. 10 7/8 x 8 3/8 inches (27.5 x 21.25 cm); [iv], [1]-256 pp.; six gelatin silver photographic movie stills inserted throughout (in the extant copies, the number of stills is variable, and in many cases they seem to have been selected with the recipient in mind). Neatly professionally rebacked, a fresh copy internally.
Jack Cosgrove was a leading American special effects artist who was nominated for five Academy Awards over his career, including for the present film. The matte paintings produced by Cosgrove and his assistants were crucial to the film's visual appearance and the development of its plot. Most of the scenes of the antebellum South were painted in this fashion, and the matte-painted views were referred to as "Cosgrove shots." This copy has a still of the burning of Atlanta; these scenes in particular were a triumph of special effects art.
The screenplay is accompanied by a copy of a letter of provenance stating it was bequeathed to its current owner from her mother who was a close personal friend of Babe Cosgrove, wife of Jack Cosgrove, the notable special effects artist who was nominated for an Academy Award for his contribution to Gone with the Wind. Jack Cosgrove had received the screenplay as a gift from producer David O. Selznick along with screen used console from the set also offered in this auction.
Sold for $11,520
Estimated at $10,000 - $15,000
Includes Buyer's Premium
SELZNICK, DAVID
"Gone With the Wind" from the novel by Margaret Mitchell... Screen Play by Sidney Howard. Produced by David O. Selznick. Directed by Victor Fleming. Final Shooting Script January 24, 1939. [Hollywood:] Selznick International, 1939. Inscribed by Selznick to Jack Cosgrove on the first blank "For Jack,/who was always/willing to try/the impossible—/and who always/achieved it!/With gratitude for/a great job./DOS/Xmas 1939." Original yellow wrappers bound-in (the front wrapper titled as above), bound contemporary custom red half morocco (the spine now renewed), front board and spine lettered in gilt, five raised bands on spine, plain gray endleaves, bound for Selznick for presentation to Jack Cosgrove, with his name stamped in gilt on the front board. 10 7/8 x 8 3/8 inches (27.5 x 21.25 cm); [iv], [1]-256 pp.; six gelatin silver photographic movie stills inserted throughout (in the extant copies, the number of stills is variable, and in many cases they seem to have been selected with the recipient in mind). Neatly professionally rebacked, a fresh copy internally.
Jack Cosgrove was a leading American special effects artist who was nominated for five Academy Awards over his career, including for the present film. The matte paintings produced by Cosgrove and his assistants were crucial to the film's visual appearance and the development of its plot. Most of the scenes of the antebellum South were painted in this fashion, and the matte-painted views were referred to as "Cosgrove shots." This copy has a still of the burning of Atlanta; these scenes in particular were a triumph of special effects art.
The screenplay is accompanied by a copy of a letter of provenance stating it was bequeathed to its current owner from her mother who was a close personal friend of Babe Cosgrove, wife of Jack Cosgrove, the notable special effects artist who was nominated for an Academy Award for his contribution to Gone with the Wind. Jack Cosgrove had received the screenplay as a gift from producer David O. Selznick along with screen used console from the set also offered in this auction.
Stage & Screen
Auction: Stage & Screen Featuring The Estate of Charles Strouse & Barbara Siman, Mar 18, 2026
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Auction of the Estate of Composer Charles Strouse & Choreographer Barbara Siman on March 18, 2026
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Memorabilia, Artwork, Furniture, Decorations, Books and More from Their Manhattan Apartment
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Featured Section of the March 18 Stage & Screen Auction
NEW YORK, NY -- Fans and collectors from across the nation and beyond gathered in Doyle's saleroom and online for the auction the Estate of the legendary Tony, Grammy and Emmy Award-winning composer Charles Strouse and his wife choreographer Barbara Siman. Showcased were memorabilia, artwork, furniture, decorations, books and more from the couple's Manhattan apartment. The landmark sale was a featured section of the Stage & Screen auction on March 18, 2026.
Over his 50-year career Charles Strouse wrote the music for such iconic musical theater hits as Bye Bye Birdie, Applause and Annie, as well as the theme song for the classic sitcom All in the Family ("Those Were the Days"). Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin's partnership on Annie produced one of Broadway's most successful scores ever. "Tomorrow" and other songs from the production have since become enduring American musical standards admired by generations. Read More
Highlighting the sale was Charles Strouse's antique Steinway Model A Grand Piano that achieved $11,520, surpassing its $7,000-10,000 estimate. Manufactured in 1897, the piano was acquired by Strouse in the late 1960s and used throughout the composition Applause (1970), Annie (1977), and other celebrated works.
Among the memorabilia offerings that realized strong results were signed sheet music for the iconic song “Tomorrow” from Annie that sold for $1,280, many times its $300-400 estimate, and signed sheet music for “Those Were the Days,” the opening theme from the television series All in the Family, estimated at $300-500, which achieved $1,216. Also drawing interest at the sale was Charles Strouse’s director’s chair, printed on the front with “Charles Strouse” and on the back with “Annie,” which more than doubled its $300-500 estimate, selling for $1,152.
Stage & Screen
Property from the Estate of Charles Stouse & Barbara Siman was offered as a featured section of the Stage & Screen auction celebrating Theater, Hollywood, Music and Dance. Read More
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