USA: Auction of hundreds of personal items belonging to Cher exceeds expectations in Beverly Hills

An auction of hundreds of personal items belonging to Cher kicked off on Tuesday (October 3) as fans and memorabilia shoppers vied for the singer/actress's rhinestone costumes, Bentley coupe and a pair of her former partner Sonny Bono's old fur boots. The four-session auction at a Beverly Hills hotel drew about 200 people, and has already exceeded previous estimates of $1.4 to $1.6 million dollars (USD). Sotheby's and Julien's Auctions estimates the sale has garnered at least $2.5 million after only three sessions. Lots that sold extremely high include a Van Cleef and Arpels diamond necklace originally valued at $40,000 to $60,000, which sold for $90,000, and the Bob Mackie-designed "Rock and Roll" outfit that sold for $60,000 which was originally estimated to sell at $3,000 to $5,000. A series of other Mackie-designed gowns sold for more than their $6,000 estimates and his sketch of one dress fetched $2,750. Also up for sale are several lots of handmade jewellery designed by Cher herself, made during the off-time of her extensive world tours. Cher, born Cherylin Sarkisian in May 1946, first hit fame alongside Sonny Bono with the 1965 hit "I got you babe," and her roller-coaster career has been echoed by her turbulent and often front-page private life. An Oscar nominee for "Silkwood" and winner for "Moonstruck," she has also won a Grammy, an Emmy and been awarded Best Actress by the Cannes Film Festival and won three Golden Globes. But she is probably equally well known for her willowy, body and contour-hugging flamboyant dresses. The two-day sale is now expected to bring in more than $3 million, part of which will be donated to charity. Cher will use some of the proceeds to redecorate her Malibu mansion.

ITN Source | October 13, 2006

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