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.
Sold for $3,200
Estimated at $800 - $1,200
Includes Buyer's Premium
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.
Auction: Stage & Screen featuring The Estate of Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Nov 5, 2025
-
Popular Stage & Screen Auction on Wednesday, November 5, 2025 at 10am
-
Memorabilia, Autographs, Artwork & Photographs Celebrating Theater, Hollywood, Music and Dance
-
Featuring an Archive of Samuel Beckett Material from the Estate of His American Director Alan Schneider
-
And Featuring a Special Section Devoted to the Estate of Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.
NEW YORK, NY -- Doyle's popular Stage & Screen auction on November 5, 2025 attracted fans and collectors around the world vying for an exciting range of offerings celebrating the performing arts of Theater, Hollywood, Music and Dance.
The Estate of Alan Schneider
Featured in the sale was fascinating collection of early Waiting for Godot material from the Estate of Alan Schneider that topped $75,000 amid trans-Atlantic competition. “The primary American director of Samuel Beckett plays” and a close friend of the playwright, Alan Schneider died in 1984, and his widow died at 101 this past summer. This remarkable archive offered an extraordinary glimpse into the creative partnership between Schneider and Beckett, spanning decades of groundbreaking theatrical work. Highlights included Schneider’s annotated working copy of Waiting for Godot used in the landmark American production, an inscribed typescript of Eh Joe, and first editions and presentation copies of Endgame and Happy Days, many personally inscribed to Schneider by Beckett. Other treasures included manuscripts, letters, awards, recordings and posters that document a pivotal collaboration in modern theater history. Read more
The Estate of Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.
Doyle was honored to offer a sequel to the successful 2011 auction of property from the estate of the legendary actor. Featured in the sale were artwork, furniture, photographs and memorabilia. Read More.
We Invite You to Auction!
Consignments are currently being accepted for future auctions. We invite you to contact us for complimentary auction estimates. Our Specialists are always available to discuss the sale of a single item or an entire collection.
REQUEST AN ESTIMATE
