Nov 5, 2025 10:00 EST
Stage & Screen featuring The Estate of Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.
164
A Small Patinated Bronze Bust of Marlene Dietrich
Collection: The Estate of Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.
DOUGLAS FAIRBANKS, Jr.
Bust of Marlene Dietrich
Initialed and dated DF Jr 37 near the base
Bronze with green patina
Height 5 1/2 inches; 8 3/4 inches including base
A fine bust with Art Deco styling by Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. representing Marlene Dietrich in a flapper style headress. It is well-known that Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. and Marlene Dietrich engaged in a relationship beginning in 1936, just following his marriage to Joan Crawford. Fairbanks, Jr. was known to paint and sculpt in his younger years, including when he was with Dietrich. One book reports:
"I told Hitchcock a story Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. had told me about Marlene Dietrich, with whom he had had a long affair. Fairbanks sculpted several nude figures of Dietrich during their time together, and when the romance ended, the friendship remained, and Fairbanks offered the figures to Dietrich. "You keep them to remember me by," she said. "Don't need them. I have myself" (Charlotte Chandler. It's Only a Movie. Alfred Hitchcock: A Personal Biography, Simon & Schuster, 2005).
A remarkable bronze evocative of the relationship between Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. and Marlene Dietrich in the Golden Age of Hollywood. Offered with two books on Dietrich.
Please note this lot is offered with two books on Dietrich not mentioned in the original description and added on November 3rd.
Collection: The Estate of Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.
DOUGLAS FAIRBANKS, Jr.
Bust of Marlene Dietrich
Initialed and dated DF Jr 37 near the base
Bronze with green patina
Height 5 1/2 inches; 8 3/4 inches including base
A fine bust with Art Deco styling by Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. representing Marlene Dietrich in a flapper style headress. It is well-known that Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. and Marlene Dietrich engaged in a relationship beginning in 1936, just following his marriage to Joan Crawford. Fairbanks, Jr. was known to paint and sculpt in his younger years, including when he was with Dietrich. One book reports:
"I told Hitchcock a story Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. had told me about Marlene Dietrich, with whom he had had a long affair. Fairbanks sculpted several nude figures of Dietrich during their time together, and when the romance ended, the friendship remained, and Fairbanks offered the figures to Dietrich. "You keep them to remember me by," she said. "Don't need them. I have myself" (Charlotte Chandler. It's Only a Movie. Alfred Hitchcock: A Personal Biography, Simon & Schuster, 2005).
A remarkable bronze evocative of the relationship between Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. and Marlene Dietrich in the Golden Age of Hollywood. Offered with two books on Dietrich.
Please note this lot is offered with two books on Dietrich not mentioned in the original description and added on November 3rd.
The Estate of Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.
Remnants of plaster in recesses. Some variation to patina and rubbing to high points. Slightly loose on the wood base.
Any condition statement is given as a courtesy to a client, is an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact and our Organization shall have no responsibility for any error or omission. Please contact the specialist department to request further information or additional images that may be available.
See our 'Buying at Doyle' page for more information.
Auction: Stage & Screen featuring The Estate of Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Nov 5, 2025
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Popular Stage & Screen Auction on Wednesday, November 5, 2025 at 10am
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Memorabilia, Autographs, Artwork & Photographs Celebrating Theater, Hollywood, Music and Dance
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Including the Director's First Edition of Waiting for Godot, Don McLean's 1971 Pressing of American Pie, and an Important Photo Archive of Early Supermodel Dorothy Rice
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And Featuring a Special Section Devoted to the Estate of Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.
NEW YORK, NY -- Doyle will host the popular Stage & Screen auction on Wednesday, November 5, 2025 at 10am. Fans and collectors around the world will be delighted by the exciting offerings celebrating the performing arts of Theater, Hollywood, Music and Dance.
Highlights include:
- A test-pressing of Don McLean’s hit single American Pie signed by McLean and gifted to his wife’s sister in 1971 before the fame that came with that most famous of American songs.
- The extensive archive of approximately 400 original fashion photographs of model Dorothy Rice, 1945-58, who was the face of Christian Dior's "New Look" collection. Read more
- A fascinating collection of early Waiting for Godot material from the Estate of Alan Schneider, “the primary American director of Samuel Beckett plays” and a close friend of the playwright. He died in 1984; his widow died at 101 this past summer. Featured are possibly unique example of the poster for the American premiere in Miami in 1956 and special inscribed copies of rare works. Read more
- The Omega Titanium 'Seamaster Diver 300M' Wristwatch gifted to "007" logo designer Joe Caroff by the Bond producers for his 100th birthday (he died this year at 103).
- An original 1966 “Sputnik” crystal chandelier from the Metropolitan Opera in New York
- James Dean signed high school yearbook from 1949.
- The Sex Pistol’s God Save the Queen signed “Bollocks!” by Sid Vicious.
The Estate of Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.
Doyle is honored to offer a sequel to the successful 2011 auction of property from the estate of the legendary actor. Featured in the upcoming sale are artwork, furniture, photographs and memorabilia, including a bronze bust portrait of Marlene Dietrich made by Fairbanks in 1937 during their relationship; also offered is a fine collection of original Marlene Dietrich posters and lobby cards. Read More.
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