November 7, 2016: Personally owned property and keepsakes cherished by Shirley Temple Black – ranging from an 8-carat diamond ring to two pairs of childhood tap shoes worn by “America’s Little Darling” – make their debut at Heritage Auctions December 5 and 6 in a special sale celebrating the famed child movie star and ranking U.S. diplomat.
As an actress, singer and dancer, Shirley Temple was Hollywood's number one box-office star from 1935 to 1938. As an adult, Shirley Temple Black served as U.S. Ambassador both to Ghana and to Czechoslovakia, and as the first woman U.S. Chief of Protocol. The property being offered at Heritage is consigned directly from Shirley’s family.
Ms Black’s property is offered across two auctions: Heritage’s Dec. 5 Jewelry Auction will offer special items from her collection of high-end jewelry, including her 8-carat Diamond, Platinum Ring (est. $75,000), and a beloved Art Deco Diamond, Ruby, Black Onyx, Coral, Platinum Bracelet, (est. $10,000) given to her by her childhood co-star and friend Bill “Bojangles” Robinson. Also offered in the Dec. 5 Jewelry Auction is a rare, French Turquoise, Enamel, Gold Bracelet, Schlumberger from Tiffany & Co. (est. $10,000); a Ruby, Diamond, Platinum “Orchestra” Bracelet attributed to William Ruser (est. $10,000); and a Marquise-Cut Diamond, Platinum Ring of 2.53 carats, flanked by tapered baguette-cut diamonds, marked Ruser (est. $10,000).
On Dec. 6, fans and collectors can bid to own items from Shirley at Home, a dedicated presentation of Shirley’s very own collection, including an outstanding Tiffany Studios Nasturtium Lamp and Shade (est. $70,000) and many other examples of provenance-rich fine and decorative arts. Among the rarities is a 19th century French Gilt-Bronze Figural Bastille Clock: The Execution of Marie Antoinette, presented to Shirley as a 21st birthday gift from Harry Luckman (est. $3,000).
Included among the home furnishings are a Spanish Baroque Library Table from the early 18th century (est. $3,000); a number of personally-owned items include a Minton Dinnerware Service for 12 with serving platters (est. $3,000); Ten Mexican Colonial-Style Silver Chargers (est. $3,000); and a 14th century Umbrian Baroque Carved Walnut Refectory Table with solid provenance from the William Randolph Hearst Collection (est. $5,000).
A selection of notable awards presented to Shirley includes the 1988 Mahatma Gandhi Humanitarian Award (est. $3,000); the Second Annual Children's Hall of Fame Award in the form of Dorothy’s Wizard of Oz ruby red-sequined slipper (est. $1,000); and a wonderful group of five items relating to her being named a Dame of Malta, including a proclamation, her ceremonial Red Cloak and Sword (est. $2,000).
