A trove of artifacts is hitting the auction block, including music scores from the beloved classic “The Wizard of Oz,” a letter by former first lady Jackie Kennedy, and a 1980 holiday card issued by the British royal family and signed by the Queen Mother.
Two printed music scores from the film, “Over the Rainbow” and “If I Only Had a Brain,” are being put up by the family of actor Ray Bolger, who portrayed the Scarecrow in the fictional land of Oz. They’re expected to sell for $12,000-$15,000 and $6,000-$8,000 respectively.
“They're very rare,” said David Lowenherz, the owner of Lion Heart Autographs, who is running the auction. “They are virtually unheard of in any kind of...private collection,” he said of the printed scores that were using during the production of the 1939 classic.
The auction, the largest Lion Heart Autographs has held and due to run until Nov. 1, includes other memorabilia.
A holiday card issued by the royal family in 1980 and signed by the Queen Mother shows her standing beside her daughters, Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret.
Another item is a 1987 letter by Jackie Kennedy, wife of former President John F. Kennedy, on plans for Pennsylvania Avenue and signed, “affectionately, Jackie.”
The auction also features a letter signed by Israel’s first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion, who founded the modern state of Israel in 1948. It dates to his time in office in 1956.
Other interesting items in their collection include an 1845 letter by Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi accusing English soprano Anna Bishop of bribing the Neapolitan Press, a letter by Impressionist painter Claude Monet to an art dealer, and a signed document ahead of Napoleon Bonaparte’s invasion of Russia in 1812.
Reuters
Sat Oct 21 2023

A holiday card issued by the royal family in 1980 and signed by the Queen Mother shows her standing beside her daughters, Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret. - REUTERS

INSIGHT - In Russia, dozens of dissenters are held as psychiatric patients
Dozens of Russians face compulsory psychiatric treatment for their political views, say lawyers and human rights groups.

How does space travel affect astronaut health?
Here is an explanation of some of the effects on human health caused by space travel.

Can you distinguish between reality and deepfake?
Currently, Malaysia has no specific laws regulating deepfake technology.

Animated films seek to find a place in best picture Oscar race
Animated filmmakers now aim to be included to the best picture race after being shut out for several years.

Emotional trauma piles up for Ukraine's children three years after invasion
Teachers, psychologists and children are used to living in a state of chronic exhaustion without a clear end in sight, experts say.

Wedding content creation the big thing now for newlyleds
A wedding content creator's success does not rely solely in tech but in capturing emotions and bringing a couples love story to life.

Will Western companies return to Russia?
Easing restrictions could let some companies return to what was once a high-growth market under Trump's administration.

Chatbots pose challenge to guarding child mental health
Developers say AI companions can combat loneliness and improve users' social experiences in a safe space.

With blitz of policies, Trump goes beyond Project 2025's goals
Trump denies ties to Project 2025 but continues reshaping policies through executive power.

Almost half of chronic kidney patients in Malaysia lost their jobs - study
The study raises concerns about the future of chronic kidney patients, especially those who rely on long-term dialysis treatment.

Beware of scam tactics using AI
The drastic development of AI technology is being taken advantage of by scammers to reap huge profits by using various latest tactics.

Fired and rehired - the dizzying confusion of Trump's government overhaul
They have adopted a blunt force approach toward the wholesale firing of workers, often focusing on workers who are easier to fire.

Arab states scramble to counter Trump's Gaza 'Riviera' plan
Arab states trying to devise an alternative plan have yet to tackle critical issues like who will foot the bill for Gaza's reconstruction.

Chinese universities launch DeepSeek courses to capitalise on AI boom
Universities across China have launched artificial intelligence courses this month based on Chinese AI startup DeepSeek.

Astronomers reveal 3D structure of an alien planet's atmosphere
Astronomers find three layers on a scorching gas planet orbiting a star larger and hotter than the sun.

Public flips car involved in road accident to rescue child
According to JBPM, members of the public at the scene took initial action to rescue the victim before the fire brigade arrived.

Ramsay reveals hundreds of lucky cat statues stolen from new restaurant
Gordon Ramsay says about 477 Japanese cat models called maneki-neko were stolen from his Lucky Cat 22 Bishopsgate restaurant.

Zayn Rayyan case: Two child witnesses complete testimony today
So far, 20 prosecution witnesses, including the two children, have been called for this trial, according to the Deputy Public Prosecutor.

Macron says he will tell Trump not to be weak with Putin in Washington visit
Emmanuel Macron says showing any weakness to Russia's Vladimir Putin would make it harder to deal with China and Iran.

Israeli PM Netanyahu says Hamas will pay for not returning Shiri Bibas
Netanyahu accuse Hamas of acting "in an unspeakably cynical manner" by placing body of a Gaza woman in the coffin instead of Shiri Bibas.