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“BOMBSHELL: THE RAQUEL WELCH COLLECTION” SMASHES EXPECTATIONS
EXCEEDING $1 MILLION, 3.5 X HIGH ESTIMATE
April 13, 2024
EXCEEDING $1 MILLION, 3.5 X HIGH ESTIMATE
Nearly 500 Items from Fantastic Voyage, One Million Years B.C. & The Three Musketeers International Superstar’s Collection of Iconic Bikinis, Gowns, Furniture, Artwork, Jewelry and Memorabilia 100% Sold
Turquoise Navajo Style Necklace Worn by Raquel Welch in Iconic Photo by Terry O’Neill Stuns at Auction for Astonishing $195,000
2018 Mercedes-Benz SL 550 Convertible Roadster Sold for $104,000
Welch’s 1975 Golden Globe Award for Best Actress Sold for $26,000
Bedazzled Two-Piece Bikini-Style Costume Sold for Astounding $22,750, 45.5 X Estimate
Welch’s Diamond and 14k Gold Wedding Rings Sold for $19,500
Bob Mackie Beaded Dress Worn by Welch on “The Muppets” Sold for $16,250, 8.5 X Estimate
Welch’s Iconic Fur Bikini ($13,000) and Star-Spangled Red, White, and Blue Sequined Swimsuit ($5,850) Worn on 1974 Really, Raquel Television Special Shimmered
Los Angeles, California – (April 13, 2024) – Julien’s Auctions, the industry-leading Hollywood auction house, concluded last evening “BOMBSHELL: THE RAQUEL WELCH COLLECTION” and sold all of the nearly 500 marquee items owned by the legendary beauty and Golden Globe Award-winning trailblazer, Friday, April 12th live in Los Angeles and online at Julien’s Auctions. Costumes, accessories, awards, memorabilia and a 2018 Mercedes-Benz SL 550 Convertible from the pop culture icon and one of Hollywood’s most famous sex symbols, known for her iconic roles in Fantastic Voyage, Hannie Caulder, Myra Breckinridge, The Three Musketeers, and One Million Years B.C. drew collectors and fans bidding in Julien’s Studios and around the world in a frenzy that achieved a total of $1.08 million, three and a half times the high estimate.
A necklace worn by a ravishing Raquel Welch in all her splendor and in one of her most iconic photos, stunned once again as today’s top selling item. The turquoise and silver squash blossom necklace, in the style developed by the Navajo and adopted by other Southwestern tribes including the Zuni and Hopi, worn by Raquel Welch to the June 23, 1970 New York City premiere of her film Myra Breckinridge and taken during a 1970 photo shoot with celebrity photographer Terry O’Neill sold for an astonishing $195,000, the necklace had an original estimate of $1,000.
A turquoise and silver squash blossom necklace, in the style developed by the Navajo and adopted by other Southwestern tribes including the Zuni and Hopi, worn by Raquel Welch to the June 23, 1970 New York City premiere of her film Myra Breckinridge and in one of her most iconic photos, taken during a 1970 photo shoot with celebrity photographer Terry O’Neill.
A 2018 Mercedes-Benz SL 550 Convertible owned and driven by Raquel Welch revved up the auction realizing $104,000 (estimate: $70,000- $100,000). The vehicles features a 4.7 liter V8 Biturbo engine that is mated to a 9G-TRONIC 9-speed automatic transmission, producing 449 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque and a Polar White exterior, with Porcelain/Black Exclusive Nappa leather interior and Black Ash Wood trim, accompanied by the original window sticker when Welch purchased the vehicle from Mercedes-Benz of Encino.
An original 2018 Mercedes-Benz SL550 Convertible that was personally owned and driven by Raquel Welch.
Raquel Welch’s 1975 Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical for her role in The Three Musketeers stole the spotlight with a realized price of $26,000, eight and half times the original estimate of $3,000.
A Golden Globe Award presented to Raquel Welch in 1975 for best performance by an actress in a motion picture – comedy or musical in The Three Musketeers (20th Century Fox, 1974). The presentation plaque is engraved 'RAQUEL WELCH / Best Motion Picture Actress Comedy or Musical "The Three Musketeers" 1974 Hollywood Foreign Press Association." Together with the nomination certificate from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association that's housed in a gold-tone frame.
A two-piece bikini-style costume worn by Raquel Welch when she portrayed Lillian Lust in the 1967 comedy Bedazzled sold for an astonishing $22,750, forty-five and half times its estimate of $500. Both the top and bottom are covered in clear plastic sequins and the bottom front features long strands of clear plastic beads.
A two-piece bikini-style costume worn by Raquel Welch when she portrayed Lillian Lust in the acclaimed Dudley Moore comedy Bedazzled (20th Century Studios, 1967). Both the top and bottom are covered in clear plastic sequins and the bottom front features long strands of clear plastic beads. Together with a book Raquel Welch (Artefact, 1985), which features a photo of Welch wearing the costume.
A group of diamond and 14k yellow gold engagement rings worn by Raquel Welch during her marriage to actor and restaurateur, Richie Palmer sold for $19,500, well over estimate of $10,000.
A group of diamond and 14k yellow gold engagement rings worn by Raquel Welch during her marriage to actor and restaurateur, Richie Palmer
A large painting of a woman "pigmentation on cork" by Jamali Faiz Aqdas Hussain Khanjamali Yousafza sold for $19,500, nearly ten times its estimate of $2,000.
A large painting of a woman "pigmentation on cork" by Jamali Faiz Aqdas Hussain Khanjamali Yousafza (India/United States, b.1944); framed in a giltwood frame.
The most iconic image of Welch’s career that became a cultural phenomenon as one of the biggest pinup posters of all time was celebrated in today’s sale of her One Million Years B.C. style suede and faux fur bikini worn by Welch in her stage show and on her 1974 television special Really, Raquel which sold for $13,000, an astounding twenty-six times the original estimate of $500. A personally-owned framed photo of Raquel Welch wearing the doe skin bikini from the prehistoric epic film also sold for $4,550, forty-five times the original estimate of $100.
A suede and faux fur bikini in the style of the legendary doe skin bikini Raquel Welch wore in the prehistoric epic One Million Years, B.C. (Hammer Film Productions, 1966) that catapulted her to superstardom and made her the most prominent sex symbol of her time. Welch wore this version of the costume in her stage act and on her television special Really, Raquel (CBS, 1974).
A one-sheet sized poster-sized photo of Raquel Welch wearing a doe skin bikini in the prehistoric epic One Million Years, B.C. (Hammer Film Productions, 1966) that skyrocketed her to superstardom and made her the most prominent sex symbol of her time. This personally-owned photo is housed in a silver-tone frame.
A shimmering Bob Mackie halter-neck dress embellished with gold, silver-tone, copper and dark brown sequins and rhinestones with sheer chiffon cutouts and a flame hem worn by Raquel Welch during a number of appearances, including her 1970s stage show and her 1978 appearance on The Muppet Show sold for $16,250, eight times its original estimate of $2,000. Superstar Ryan Gosling claimed that Welch was his first crush and seeing her perform in this dress on The Muppet Show partially provided early inspiration him to become an actor.
A halter-neck dress embellished with gold-tone, silver-tone, copper-tone, and dark brown sequins and rhinestones and sheer chiffon cutouts in the front and a flame hem that was worn by Raquel Welch during her stage show, circa mid-1970s, on the cover of L'Express magazine, during an episode of Saturday Night Live when she hosted on April 24, 1976, during a 1978 television appearance opposite Bob Hope during which the two sang the Bee Gees hit "Stayin' Alive," and during a 1978 appearance on The Muppet Show. The dress features a Bob Mackie/Ray Aghayan label inside.
Other highlights included: a La Jolla High School 1958 Diploma of Graduation, granted to Jo-Raquel Tejada (Raquel Welch) accompanied by her senior year report card sold for $3,250, over sixteen times its estimate of $200.
A La Jolla High School Diploma of Graduation, granted to Jo-Raquel Tejada on June 13, 1958; contained in a merlot faux morocco leather diploma cover with gilt-embossed lettering on the cover; accompanied by a La Jolla Jr.-Sr. High School June 1958 Semester Grade Report issued to Raquel Tejada, who earned letter grades of 'A' in American Government, Physical Education, Speech, Plane Geometry, and Drama, and a 'B+' in Art. Together with a note dated 11/29/84 from Dr. Herbert McCoy, a classmate who had held onto the diploma and eventually returned it to Welch.
A beaded one-piece costume worn by Welch in a photo shoot, circa 1970, with Terry O'Neill in which Raquel Welch stripped out of a gorilla suit to reveal a blonde afro wig and a custom-made, nude-illusion, burlesque leotard with handset embellishments sold for $10,400, thirty-four times its estimate of $300.
A beaded one-piece costume worn in a photo shoot, circa 1970, with Terry O'Neill in which Raquel Welch stripped out of a gorilla suit to reveal a blonde afro wig and a custom-made, nude-illusion, burlesque leotard with handset embellishments. The item is composed of a cream cotton net overlaid on a light beige semi-sheer fabric. The bra is padded and has underwire with a single busk closure, straps are fully embellished, each bra cup features beaded burlesque tassels, as well as cascading fringe under each cup. There is a solitaire strap connecting the bra to the bottoms. The faceted rhinestones are individually prong set and the beading is hand sewn. There is no size label present.
Welch’s Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust stainless steel and yellow 18k gold wristwatch sold for $16,250, over sixteen times its estimate of $1,000.
A Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust stainless steel and yellow 18k gold wristwatch, of mechanical movement, the circular gold dial with gold baton numerals, luminescent hands, magnified window for date, with a fluted gold bezel in a stainless steel case, to the bicolored link bracelet and deployant clasp, 26 mm, 5.5 inches, 50.10 grams, circa 1980s. Dial and deployant signed Rolex, lugs numbered 468, deployant numbered 62523D.
A rare Louis Vuitton Monogram train vanity case made by The French Company, circa late 1970s-early 1980s; accompanied by an Air France luggage tag inscribed "Raquel Welch / Bev Hills / 90210 Calif. / USA." with notable wear due to extensive personal use as Welch’s cosmetics travel case sold for $9,100, ninety-one times its estimate of $100.
A rare train vanity case made with Louis Vuitton Monogram canvas under license from Louis Vuitton by The French Company, circa late 1970s-early 1980s; accompanied by an Air France luggage tag inscribed "Raquel Welch / Bev Hills / 90210 Calif. / USA." Condition: with notable handling wear comensurate with extensive personal use as her cosmetics travel case by Raquel Welch.
A portrait by American artist Clayton LaFevre depicting Raquel Welch wearing blue workout attire signed and dated "Clayton 84" sold for $3,900, nearly twenty times its estimate of $200.
A portrait by American artist Clayton LaFevre (American, 20th century), depicting Raquel Welch wearing blue workout attire, similar in style to images of Welch seen in her 1985 book The Raquel Welch Total Beauty and Fitness Program, signed and dated "Clayton 84" in the lower left and framed in an acrylic frame.
Welch’s Elsa Peretti Tiffany & Co. Silver bone cuff bracelet worn on many events, photoshoots, and on stage such as The Movies magazine launch party on June 20, 1983 at Kaufman Astoria Studios in New York City, and the "Hands Across America" event on May 25, 1986 on the RMS Queen Mary in Long Beach, California, sold for $8,890, nearly fifteen times its estimate of $600.
An iconic staple introduced over five decades ago at Tiffany & Co., the "Bone" cuff was inspired by designer Elsa Peretti's childhood visits to the Casa Milà in Barcelona, Spain as well as the Capuchin crypt in Rome, Italy.
Welch’s twice signed 1970 passport sold for $5,850, nearly ten times its estimate of $600.
A United States passport issued to Raquel Welch Curtis on May 8, 1970 and with a May 7, 1975 expiration date that's been signed in ink twice by the actress, including a signature on the border of her photo. Among the many foreign countries stamped on this passport are Denmark, England, and Hungary. The passport features a green paper cover and Welch's address is written on the inside in marker and the cover and several pages have been hole-punched with Welch's passport number.
Welch’s Myra Breckinridge style bathing suit costume worn on Really, Raquel television special sold for $5,850, eleven times its estimate of $500.
A red, white, and blue sequined one-piece swimsuit inspired by the iconic star-spangled flag-style costume Raquel Welch wore in the legendary cult film Myra Breckinridge (20th Century Fox, 1970). Welch wore this version during her stage show, circa 1970s, and on her television special Really, Raquel (CBS, 1974) and it still features her make-up stains. Accompanied by two sets of elbow-length red gloves.
