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New items will be regularly added to the Estate Sale. Please keep checking back for more great things from The Estate of Rue!Featured Items
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
Rue's Pine Box From 1949 Family Vacation
In 1949 Rue’s Father packed the whole family into the car and drove them from Oklahoma to New York City for a family vacation; it was the trip during which a 14-year old Rue realized she belonged in Manhattan and would some day be a star. As soon as they crossed the boarder into Arkansas and were in the foothills of the Ozarks, Rue was already shopping. They stopped at a roadside diner for lunch and she made her first purchase of the trip: this 6.5″ x 3.5″ wooden box with a bakelite vase of flowers on the front. This prized childhood souvenir comes with a Certificate of Authenticity from Estate of Rue.
$275
Rue's Original Signed SAG Agency Contract for 1991 - For Television Movies [SOLD]
Did you know Rue made about 70 movies in her lifetime? In fact, many of those made are now shown on the Lifetime Chanel, but that is neither here nor there. Anyway, since she made movies for both theatrical release and for television, she had to execute contracts for each type. This original 8.5″ x 11″ 2-page agreement, with one page being 2-sided, is for movies she made to be shown on television. Like the other agreements Rue entered into as professional actress, since she incorporated herself, she always had to have a “Corporate Rider” to her contracts; this rider basically said as corporate president she was binding herself as the actress to the agreement – weird, eh? Not only did the corporation save Rue a lot of money in taxes and give her a way to write her hair appointments off on her tax returns, but it resulted in her agreements having THREE ORIGINAL SIGNATURES! This original contract with three of Rue’s original signatures comes with an 8″ x 10″ headshot taken during that time period and a Certificate of Authenticity from Estate of Rue.
$175 NOW $87.50
Rue's Amazing Work-Of-Art Necklace
This necklace is nothing short of a work-of-art! The piece was custom made for Rue by a Florida designer who made Rue’s jewelry for the series “Safe Harbor.” The necklace has many different beads, balls, crystals, turquoise pieces, and metal thingamabobs. Rue’s work-of-art necklace measures 26″ long and it comes with a Certificate of Authenticity from Estate of Rue.
$375 NOW $187.50
ESTATE NUMBERED COPY of Rue's Original "Golden Girls" Contract
You might recall, we had listed Rue’s original signed “Golden Girls” contract for $2,500, which we admit, was alot of dough. Many fans asked if they could buy a copy of the document and after consulting with Rue’s family, we are now able to offer some numbered copies for a much more affordable price. The bundle includes the following: a copy of the little 4″ x 6″ note card that was attached to the stack of papers when they were forwarded from Rue’s agent to her home; a copy of the letter from the lawyers who prepared the documents to the agents at I.C.M.; a copy of the original 2-paged basic agreement; a copy of the 1-page “Inducement Letter;” a copy of the original 9-paged contract that includes the schedules and attachments; and finally a copy of the signed pick up letter when the producers exercised their “option” after the success of “The Golden Girls” pilot. The contract has all the details for the pilot and Rue’s compensation for many seasons. Of course, after the huge success of the show, Rue hired a pitbull lawyer – who she got from Jean Stapleton, but the way – and broke her contract so she could make some BIG MONEY! Comes with a Certificate of Authenticity from Estate of Rue.
$225
Rue's Golden Depression Era Candlestick (FIRST FROM TEXAS HOUSE!)
We’re listing this under “Manhattan Apartment” because that is the only house category we have here on estateofrue.com – and we have no idea how one goes about adding another category to the page – but this piece actually came from Rue’s California house via her Texas house. This is the first item we are posting from Rue’s Texas house, too! After six years we are FINALLY ready to start digging into that mountain of stuff. What happened is when Rue sold her California house, she shipped the contents down to her Texas house in an 18-wheeler truck; and to this day much of it is still in the boxes she and a friend packed almost 20-years ago! Get ready for a whole new supply of Rue McClanahan treasures. First up is this golden Depression Glass candlestick. It is 2.25″ tall and has a 3.5″ base. Rue’s candlestick comes with a Certificate of Authenticity from Estate of Rue.
$175