Orson Welles' personal copy of the script for his landmark film Citizen Kane has seen superb results as part of the Stanley J Seeger Collection, offered by Sotheby's in London.
 Only two scripts from Citizen Kane survive, with this Welles' own personal copy |
Titled 1000 Ways of Seeing, the sale ran March 05-06, offering a range of objects that encapsulate the eclectic tastes of "one of the greatest collectors of our time".
Selling alongside antique furniture and works of art, the Citizen Kane script made ?�98,500 ($164,692), up 392.5% on its ?�20,000 high estimate.
Showing the film's original title, American, the script is inscribed "Mr Welles' working copy" on the cover.
There are only two known original scripts for Citizen Kane, which is considered one of the greatest films ever made and is a landmark in cinematic history.
 Seeger formed several collections during his lifetime, and wasn't afraid to sell them to move on to a different subject |
Selling in the top spot was an Italian marble relief of Hercules and Antaeus from the 16th century, which was originally valued at ?�30,000-50,000, but realised a 601% increase to sell for ?�350,500 ($585.492).
Inspired by Seeger's impeccable tastes, collectors were prepared to pay top prices for items in the sale, with Admiral Lord Nelson's bachelor teapot - engraved with his initial, N - selling for ?�56,250 ($94,063) against a ?�12,000 high estimate, a 368.7% increase.
 'Regular Guy' Al Capone was given the shaker as a birthday gift from his mob |
Further highlights came from a silver plate cocktail shaker given to "Regular Guy" Al Capone from "The Boys". Dated 1932, it sold for ?�50,000, beating the modest ?�1,500 high estimate by 3233.3%.
The auction serves as testament to the returns seen by the most desirable collectibles with strong provenance. Paul Fraser Collectibles' online store offers handpicked items worthy of the finest collections.
