Leslie Nielsen guest starred on the final episode of “The Golden Girls.” Rue had Leslie sign her script and then she ran copies of the signed cover. Over the years, Rue would sign these copies and then give them to her favorite animal charities to sell at fundraising auction events – these signed copies of the Nielsen signed final episode cover sold for $1,000s. This is one of the few that remained in Rue’s home office when she died. Comes with a Certificate of Authenticity from Estate of Rue.
An Early "Doodle" From Rue's Collection
This is a very early “doodle” from Rue’s collection. You can see many of the design features and shapes that she would use over and over throughout the years in this early piece, and there is a definite joy to the drawing that remained constant all the way through her “doodling” career. This original drawing is 9″ x 12″ and it comes with a Certificate of Authenticity from Estate of Rue.
$950 NOW $475
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Rue's Liz Claiborne Long-Billed Cap
Rue truly regretted all the sun damage she inflicted on her skin when she was a girl and young lady, and so she made certain to protect herself from the harmful rays of the sun as she aged. This Liz Claiborne cap was one of her protection tools because it has a super long bill. It had the added benefit of hiding her face when she wanted to run out for a quick errand and go around her Manhattan neighborhood unrecognized. Rue’s hat comes with a Certificate of Authenticity from Estate of Rue.
$175 NOW $87.50
1967 - "MacBird!" Lot [DONATATED]
This is a combination of American theatre history and the history of Rue McClanahan. In 1967 she co-starred with Stacy Keach in the controversial production of “MacBird!” Public officials were trying to get it banned because it touched too closely on the relatively recent assassination of JFK. Rue didn’t care about the drama off the stage though, she just knew this was a meaty part on the stage, so she went after it and got it. This production produced one of my all-time-favorite Rue images – her in character getting touched up by the smoking makeup man. Ah, the ’60s! This lot comes with a gorgeous 16.75″ x 12.75″ framed image from the production featuring Rue and Stacy Keach, with the little publishing sticker on the back indicating the photograph was used in Rue’s book – “My First Five Husbands…and The Ones Who Got Away.” We also found Rue’s numbered opening night party invitation and a telegram her agent sent her on opening night (although the corner of that is ripped, but what do you expect? It is over 45 years old!). Also comes with Rue’s original paperback of the play, published in 1966, and an original Playbill from the production with Rue and Stacy Keach on the cover. This is a singular collection from a moment in time and a moment in Rue’s life. Everything comes with one Certificate of Authenticity and prints of the three production images shown.
$325
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Rue's Framed Vincent van Gogh Lithograph
This print is entitled “Cafe Terrace at Night” and it was painted by Vincent van Gogh. We have no idea what this framed print is worth. Rue bought it along with a Latrec lithograph at a gallery in Manhattan, but it is still just a print, right? Although the Latrec print, because it was signed, was recently valued at $6,000, so who knows? Anyway, this piece hung in the rental Rue moved into when she first moved back to Manhattan – she needed some art to cheer the place up and that was why she visited the gallery and bought the two pieces. Later, it went with her to both Manhattan apartments she owned and it hung in the main hallway of her final apartment until her death. The piece measures 32″ x 26.25″ and it comes with a Certificate of Authenticity from Estate of Rue.
$450 NOW $225
Rue Made Dangling Frog Earrings
Rue made this pair of dangling frog earrings way back in the 1990s. The frogs are a half inch across and the whole earring dangles down 2.5″. Rue really did have a thing for frogs, they were all over her house in one form or another, as you can see from the photo posted which shows some of her other frogs. Rue’s frog earrings come with a Certificate of Authenticity from Estate of Rue.
$275 NOW $137.50
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Rue's Carved Maori Box Given To Her By Her Son Mark
Like most mothers, Rue always thought of her son as a little boy. Also, like most mothers, no matter what her son gave to her – crayon drawings, pipe cleaner sculpture, macaroni necklaces, etc… – she adored and kept forever. Sometimes her boy hit the ball out of the park though and gave her something she not only adored as a mother, but also as Rue McClanahan, world class shopper and collector. This vintage carved Maori box with paua shell inserts is just such an item. Rue genuinely loved this piece. When a big earthquake hit the Los Angeles area in the late ’80s, this piece flew off of Rue’s dresser in her adorable Encino house (photo posted) and a little corner of wood popped off. Rue said she looked for that little piece for days but never found it; she figured one of her cats or dogs thought it was a bit of kibble and probably ate it. Nevertheless, she displayed this piece in her various homes for the rest of her life, and when asked its origin, she’d proudly say: “That was a gift from my son.” Rue’s carved Maori box comes with a Certificate of Authenticity from Estate of Rue.
$375
