Ann Miller Auction

Julien's presents the
Ann Miller Collection of Costume Jewelry

June 4, 2005

Ann Miller

Ann Miller ~ Legendary star of Hollywood and Broadway, actress/singer/dancer Ann Miller's career spanned fifty years. She starred in more than 40 Hollywood films, including "On the Town", "Easter Parade" and "Kiss Me Kate". She continued dancing into her 60s with the stage hits "Mame", "Follies" and "Sugar Babies". She was a frequent guest on television shows including Ed Sullivan, Johnny Carson and even joined "The Love Boat" cast for a special appearance. The vivacious Miss Miller received numerous accolades ranging from the Best Legs Award to many Life Time Achievement Awards.

Ann's career in show business started at the age of 13 with an R.K.O. contract and by age 14 she was Ginger Rogers' dancing partner in "Stage Door". In 1942 Ann's star joined filmdom's elite on Hollywood Boulevard's Walk of Fame. She wrote two autobiographical books: Miller's High Life and Tapping into the Source.

Harrice Miller | Credit: Kenneth Chen

Harrice Miller ~ Ann Miller's collection of costume jewelry had been brought into the special wardrobe room in her Beverly Hills home for me to see. Tray after tray, box after box revealed pieces that left me dazzled, dizzy and delighted. They defied any previous notions I had of Hollywood glamour. Here was the real thing, albeit in faux gems.

In my twenty years of researching, collecting, selling and writing about vintage costume jewelry, this was the "mother lode". It is the ultimate collection from the most rare to the most extravagant to the most amusing.

Ann Miller's extraordinary collection spans sixty years and includes all the big names in collectible costume jewelry. There are gorgeous pieces made by American designers Miriam Haskell, Trifari, Kenneth Jay Lane, Marcel Boucher, William deLillo and a surprising number of pieces by Donald Stannard. Through a fortuitous moment of serendipity, I was lucky to meet Donald and discover that so much of his jewelry in Miss Miller's collection was made just for her. Jewelry of major European couture designers Balenciaga, Chanel, Dior, Jacques Fath and Schiaparelli are also part of this glorious collection.

We have carefully selected the most exciting and important pieces from the collection for this auction. There are also a number of photographs of Miss Miller wearing the jewelry in the sale. The photographs, Playbills and books they appeared in will be included with the actual pieces of jewelry she was wearing.

As Elsa Schiaparelli once said, "Be yourself, be daring, and above all have fun!"

Harrice Simons Miller is the author of three books about collectible costume jewelry including the Official Guide To Costume Jewelry, 3rd Edition and co-author of Kenneth Jay Lane: Faking It.

PRESS PREVIEW AND EXHIBITION SCHEDULE

New York:
Highlights From The Collection
Planet Hollywood
May 16th Press Call — 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Reception for V.I.P. Clients — 7:00 p.m. — 9:00 p.m.
May 17th — May 20th Exhibition In Display Case

Los Angeles:
May 31st — June 3rd
10:00 am — 5:00 pm daily
Auction: Saturday, June 4th 9:00 a.m.
Barclay Butera, Inc., 169 N. La Brea Avenue,
Los Angeles, California

June 4th — Live and Online Auction

• Press Release