It’s oddly relevant. I’d be curious to see if any of these museum projects bid on any of this stuff or if they’re just talking. I’d also be curious to see if they get their project bidding prices.
Profiles in History (www.profilesinhistory.com), the number one company in the world for authentic Hollywood memorabilia, will offer several amazing Bruce Lee and Brandon Lee items in their upcoming auction. The two-day auction will be held July 31 and August 1. The Bruce / Brandon items will be up for bid on the second day, August 1. Worldwide bidding begins at 11:00am (PDT) both days. Bids can be placed either in person, via mail, phone, fax or live on the internet via eBay Live Auctions www.ebayliveauctions.com or www.LiveAuctioneers.com.
Brandon Lee signature “The Crow” costume and display with “Shelly” wedding dress from The Crow. ($15,000-$18,000)
(Miramax, 1994) Brandon Lee’s costume consists of form-fitting black shirt with electrical tape wrapped around the abdomen, faux leather pants, boots and trench coat. All items are heavily distressed with bullet holes and wear for the film. The costume is mounted on a mannequin with a custom painted head of Brandon Lee’s “Crow” character and is complete with a screen used crow bird from the film. Accompanying the display is Sofia Shinas’“Shelly Webster” wedding dress and prop wedding invitation.
Bruce Lee black Gung Fu jacket ($20,000-$30,000)
Bruce Lee’s black Gung Fu top, circa 1966-67. It has four Chinese knotted fasteners along the front. Bruce Lee wore this particular top often and taught with it on. Accompanied by a signed certificate of authenticity from Taky Kimura, Lee’s friend and protégé, stating that the top was obtained by him directly from Bruce Lee. A unique opportunity to own a very special Gung Fu jacket with a wonderful association.
Bruce Lee “Praying Mantis style” Kung Fu book signed by Bruce Lee with original drawing of praying mantis given to his friend Taky Kimura. ($12,000-$15,000)
Signed book in the Mantis-style boxing series, 62 pp, 5 in. x 7 ½ in. Text entirely in Chinese. Softcover binding, lacks rear cover. Lee has shaded the letters of the title in blue ink. Inside the cover, he has signed “Property of Bruce Lee”. On the front flyleaf, Lee has penned “The Northern Mantis Clan” and drawn, in detail, a large praying mantis, 3 in. long x 2 in. tall. The book is copiously illustrated with black & white photographs depicting a Kung Fu artist with text. Bruce Lee’s ownership rubber stamp “Mr. Bruce Lee - 1122 Jefferson Street - Seattle, Washington” appears on the first text page, as well as small checkmarks and circle notations above some of the photographs. Taky Kimura met Bruce Lee in Seattle in 1960. He eventually became head instructor of the Jun Fan Gung Fu Institute. Kimura was the best man at Linda and Bruce Lee’s wedding in 1964, and one of the pallbearers at Lee’s funeral nine years later. Overall, fine condition. Includes a signed certificate of authenticity from Taky Kimura stating that the book was given to him by Bruce Lee.
Bruce Lee hand-annotated “Praying Mantis Style” Kung Fu book given to his friend, Taky Kimura. ($12,000-$15,000)
Book in the Mantis-style boxing series, 42 pages, 5 in. x 7 ½ in. Text entirely in Chinese. Softcover binding, lacks rear cover. Bruce Lee’s ownership rubber stamp on the front flyleaf, “Mr. Bruce Lee - 11222 Jefferson Street - Seattle, Washington”. Lee has outlined the front legs of the cover illustration praying mantis in black ink. Contains extensive annotations in Lee’s hand of 350 words of explanatory text in English, as well as direction arrows indicating motion on every black & white photograph. On the photograph on page 35 Lee has written “(1) This is a hook to the temple [arrow drawn by Lee] as soon as opponent’ hand tries to block your left straight punch. (2) from same straight punch bend and strike violently at opponent temple (This is double punching after opponent blocked your first straight punch and then hook in again from straight arm position coordinate retreat of left foot [arrow drawn by Lee] to get power”. An incredible insight into Lee’s fighting style, presented as a gift to one of his students and close friends. Small damp stain at lower front cover, otherwise, fine condition. Includes a signed certificate of authenticity from Taky Kimura stating that the book was given to him by Bruce Lee.
Bruce Lee “Jun Fan Gung Fu Institute” membership card and Handwritten letter. ($12,000-$15,000)
Rare “Jun Fan Gung Fu Institute” red stripe student membership card signed by Bruce Lee as President. Card measures 3 ½ in. x 2 ½ in. Accompanied by a rare autograph letter signed to his friend and protégé, Taky Kimura. Comes with the original transmittal envelope addressed in Lee’s hand, postmarked September 11, 1967. Lee pens [in full]: “Taky, Quarterly Card for Winter (Sept. 21 - Dec. 21 1967) Fill in the rest with Typewriter and sign your name on (Instructor) Bruce”. Bruce Lee’s Chinese name was Lee Jun Fan. According to Kimura, only a few “red stripe” cards were signed by Lee. Bruce Lee’s first Gung Fu school was in Seattle, where Kimura was Lee’s assistant instructor. Both letter and card are in fine condition.
Bruce Lee blue fur-lined costume jacket. ($12,000-$15,000)
Bruce Lee’s long medium-blue, fur-lined Chinese costume jacket circa 1973. This patterned medium blue silk, fur-lined Chinese-styled long jacket was created and made for Bruce Lee’s movie he was to make after the completion of Enter the Dragon. Lee wore the jacket for a photo session to test the costume during a pre-pre-production photo shoot prior to his untimely death. Accompanied by a signed certificate of authenticity from Robert Lee, younger brother of Bruce Lee, stating the provenance. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own an authentic Bruce Lee article of clothing with amazing provenance.
Collection of five Bruce Lee items, including airline tickets for his friend Taky Kimura, who will appear with him in The Game of Death. ($3,000-$4,000)
An amazing archive of Bruce Lee items comprising a typewritten letter on “Golden Harvest Studios” letterhead to Taky Kimura signed by his secretary; four original Pan American World Airways tickets with envelope; Western Union telegram to Taky Kimura in Seattle; and original transmittal envelopes. In September, 1972, Lee began preliminary filming of fight sequences for his next film, The Game of Death. The project was put on hold in November while he prepared the film Enter the Dragon, which began filming in January, 1973. Indoor shots were filmed at Golden Harvest Studios in Kowloon, Hong Kong. Enter the Dragon had its world premiere in Hong Kong on July 26, 1976, six days after Bruce Lee’s sudden death at the age of 32.
Bruce Lee hand and forearm strengthener ($3,000-$4,000)
Green wood and metal hand and forearm strengthener circa 1966-67. This was used as a vital part of Bruce Lee’s personal martial arts training program; he owned and used this particular strengthener frequently. Accompanied by a signed certificate of authenticity from Taky Kimura, Lee’s friend and protégé, stating that this strengthener was obtained by him directly from Bruce Lee.
