Auction of Audrey Hepburn treasures reveals rare glimpse into star’s life
A collection of Audrey Hepburn treasures, including film scripts and dresses, went up for auction in London.
Hepburn’s son Luca Dotti told AFP that his mother kept all her treasures in the attic for sentimental reasons.
“My mother kept it in the attic, quite literally. My mother was not a collector but she kept every little bits and pieces for sentimental reasons,” he said.
Some of Hepburn’s luggage went for auction including a battered black-lacquered suitcase which is believed to have been used by the star when she arrived in London when she took up a ballet scholarship in 1948.
The working script for the 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany’s which features Hepburn’s handwritten notes, also went under the hammer.
Designer dresses by Givenchy and Valentino were also sold but Hepburn’s son Sean Hepburn-Ferrer highlighted that few would be able to fit into these petite gowns.
The actresses’ family chose to keep a number of items like Hepburn’s collection of awards, including the Oscar she won for Roman Holiday.
Items such as her childhood family photos were too sentimental to sell.
“I’m particularly fond of the beginnings. Her life before becoming Audrey Hepburn,” Luca said.
However, many personal items were put up for auction including an artwork Hepburn painted while pregnant with Luca in 1969.
The sale also included her American cine camera, which she used to document life from the other side of the camera.
Christie’s director of private collections, Adrian Hume-Sayer, said the sale was “pretty extensive”.
“There’s lots of little personal things.”
Scroll through the gallery above to see Audrey Hepburn’s personal belongings.