Like all great collections, it started with just one piece.

In this case, it was a pillbox.

But not just any pillbox. A Judith Leiber pillbox.

Bob Maier purchased it for his wife because she was “completely taken” by Judith Leiber pillboxes. And then, because it pleased her, he discovered a mission. He educated himself about Judith Leiber and her bags and continued to surprise his wife with outstanding Judith Leiber pieces on Christmas, Valentine’s Day and other occasions.

“I graduated from pillboxes to full purses quickly,” Maier says. “Each time, I got to see my wife’s face light up as a new bag she’d never seen would appear from its wrapping.”

Before long they had amassed quite a little collection!

Now this South Dakota couple is approaching retirement and they’re offering over 250 pieces from their collection at Bonham’s Entertainment Memorabilia sale on December 12.

“Don’t worry,” says Maier. “My wife is keeping a selection of her favorites, but the rest of her amazing collection we offer to you. Give them a good home, show them off, and most of all, have fun!”

I’ve shared my favorite pieces from the Maier collection with you here. Now it’s time for you to hop on over and discover your own favorite. You can view all  the lots available here.

For more information about this auction, including information on how you can bid, visit Bonhams.com.

Image Credit: Courtesy of Bonhams. Used with permission.

One of the greatest thrills of my childhood was being cast as Dorothy in a local production of The Wizard of Oz.  I can’t remember exactly how old I was but I do remember the thrill of slipping on those ruby red slippers. And while the stylist in me wouldn’t think of pairing sequin shoes with a gingham pinafore, somehow Dorothy pulled off the look just fine!

Soon, on December 16, Profiles in History will bring one of only four surviving pairs of the iconic ruby red slippers to auction.

The auction estimate?

A cool $2 to $3 million dollars!!!

Now that’s definitely out of this gal’s budget, today’s VPOD fits right in line (which is a good thing because I still harbor an obsession for fabulous red shoes!).

Plus, these vintage 1950s d’Orsay satin pumps are available for a only a few dollars less than their original $69 price tag. Adjusted for inflation, that $69 from the 1950s would almost be enough to buy a shiny new pair of Christian Louboutin’s today, so these beauties are quite a bargain!

And they’re a chic choice not only for a trip to see the Wizard but, if you click their heels together three times, I’m pretty sure they’ll take a Vintage Crusader anywhere she wants to go!

Available at VintageWise.

(Photo Credit for Ruby Slippers: Profiles in History | To receive the VPOD free via email with detailed size and price information, sign up for the growing email mailing list here. Your information will never be sold or shared and you can easily unsubscribe at any time.)

Oh, the Divine Miss M!

What a performer.  What a career.

30 million records sold worldwide. An Oscar nomination for her performance in The Rose. Forty years of performing on Broadway, television and concert stages. A 2011 Emmy nomination.

And she’s done it all with style.

And this November, Julien’s Auctions will auction over 300 items from her life and career including her very first audition dress, dresses worn on her album covers, gorgeous Bob Mackie creations and pieces designed by Pucci and Valentino.

The fun begins on Saturday, November 12th at 10am but you can sneak a peek now at the gorgeous online auction catalog and a picture gallery from the free public exhibition at Julien’s Auctions in Beverly Hills that opens this Monday, October 31.

Don’t be shy. Anyone can bid—whether live, online, via telephone or absentee bid form.

And remember, a portion of the proceeds from this sale will benefit the non-profit organization Bette founded in 1955 , the“New York Restoration Project” (NYRP).

More information including the auction catalog, exhibit pics and details at Julien’s Auctions.

This is a not-to-be-missed event for a collecting Vintage Crusader!

(IMAGE CREDIT: Juliens Auctions – Used With Permission. | Sign up for Zuburbia’s growing email mailing list here. Your information will never be sold or shared and you can easily unsubscribe at any time.)

These days it seems like there’s a hot new movie star being born in Hollywood every couple of months. But few have the staying power of the old-time Hollywood greats like Tony Curtis. His career spanned six decades and included more than 100 films along with numerous television appearances.

One of those most memorable films, of course, was Some Like It Hot, where Tony Curtis shared top billing with another magnificent film icon, Marilyn Monroe.

But did you know that in addition to acting and finding the time to marry five times, Tony Curtis also gathered an impressive art collection over his lifetime?

This September, the estate of Tony Curtis, including his art collection and various letters, items and personal effects collected during his film career, will be offered by Julien’s Auctions in Beverly Hills.

My favorite piece in the catalog? The Andy Warhol Some Like It Hot piece that was a gift from the artist to the actor and is expected to fetch $20-30k.

A wee bit out of my price range, yes, but it costs nothing to gaze at it up close at the Estate of Tony Curtis Exhibition beginning August 6. More info here.

Julien’s Auctions in Beverly Hills, CA, is proud to present its ICONS & IDOLS auction this Friday December 3 and Saturday December 4. The auction will feature the largest collection of Beatles memorabilia to ever come to public auction as well as more than 100 items from the life and career of Michael Jackson.

Not a music fan? There are plenty of offerings that might interest vintage fashionistas as well.

Here’s just a few items that got my vintage heart beating:

An awesome sketch by Edith Head of Audrey Hepburn
(one of several Edith Head sketches available)

Vivien Leigh’s Blouse from Gone with the Wind

Eva Gabor dress from Green Acres and Barbra Streisand Funny Girl Dress

More information available at Julien’s Auctions.

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