Profiles in History Hosts Ackerman Estate Sale

Forry Ackerman was one of those rare people who got to make a living doing what he loved. The world’s biggest fan-boy (and I say that with a great deal of love), Forry Ackerman amassed an unrivaled collection of sci-fi and horror movie memorabilia in his lifetime and now that he’s gone, those items are up for sale.

As the creator of Famous Monsters Magazine, Ackerman had a huge impact on my childhood and likely even the work I do today. I devoured every issue of that magazine, plastering my walls with the pages, eagerly mailing away for the monster do-dads that were sold in the back. I studied monsters like other kids study baseball or ballet. My particular favorite was Dracula and so I was driven to near tears when I saw the items up for sale at this estate auction. They’re way out of my price range, so seeing the photos will have to be enough for me.

– Dracula ring worn by Bela Lugosi as Count Dracula.  It’s the single most important Lugosi / Dracula screen worn piece to EVER come to auction. ($20,000-$30,000).
–  Bela Lugosi’s robe from The Raven is the most important 1930’s horror costume to EVER come to auction. ($15,000-$20,000)

–   A cape made for Bela Lugosi in 1932 and used many times for his stage portrayal of Dracula.  Lugosi then wore the costume in Plan 9 from Outer Space. ($15,000-$20,000).
– A first edition of the book, Dracula signed by Bram Stoker and inscribed by Bela Lugosi to Forry Ackerman (also signed by a host of other Dracula-related personalities).  ($6,000-8,000).
–   Fritz Lang’s monocle, which he wore when he directed Metropolis. This was given to Forry by Lang: ($3,000-$5,000)

These are just a few of items that will be available in the Profiles in History’s 36th auction, taking place the last week of April, 2009. This will be the most important sale of horror-related items ever assembled and available for auction. Worldwide bids can be placed either in person, via mail, phone, fax or live on the internet via Live Auctioneers.com

Says Profiles:

Ackerman was noted for having amassed an extremely large and complete collection of science fiction, fantasy and horror film memorabilia, which was, until 2002, maintained in a remarkable home/museum known as the 18-room "Ackermansion" in the Los Feliz district of Los Angeles, filled with 300,000 books and pieces of movie memorabilia. He was credited with nurturing and even inspiring the careers of several early contemporaries like Ray Bradbury, Ray Harryhausen, Charles Beaumont, Marion Zimmer Bradley and L. Ron Hubbard. And you can add my name to that list.

Photos courtesy of Profiles in History