Bob Hope’s daughter has announced that some of the memorabilia from her father’s collection will be auctioned off for charity. All of his papers will go to the Library of Congress and much of his collection is being given to museums, but these items are for the fans.
Mr. Hope‘s extraordinary career spanning Vaudeville, Broadway, radio, television and film, and his numerous USO tours to entertain U.S. military troops earned him the admiration of generations of fans around the world. Highlights in this historical auction include: A one page letter dated October 23, 1943 from Bette Davis to Mr. Hope; a red and white feathered Indian headdress worn by Mr. Hope on the cover of Life Magazine on May 11, 1962; a Movado watch inscribed “To Bob Hope in sincere appreciation — The Cleveland Press Christmas Show 1944″; and a turquoise western suit made by Nudies of North Hollywood, worn by Mr. Hope on several television shows including Barbara Mandrell, Mandrell Sisters Show and Ann Margaret Rhinestone Special. Highlights from Mr. Hope’s golf collection include; a complete set of golf clubs from various makers (woods 1- 6, irons 3- 9 and a brass head putter), his Dunlop Bogie Busters golf bag, a Tiffany and Company sterling silver golf club given to Mr. Hope for his 95th birthday by NBC, 24k gold plated golf tees, two Chrysler Classic ball markers bearing Mr. Hope’s image, a white, pink and blue stripped golf shirt, Izod cardigan sweater, a red sports jacket made by Arthur Cross, a light blue pair of dress pants with “Second Mile Golf Classic” embroidered on the back pocket and his Du Pont leather golf shoes.
Hope was born born Leslie Townes Hope in Eltham, England on May 29, 1903. After brief careers as a soda jerk, a shoe salesman, a pool hustler, and a boxer known as Packy East, he found his true calling as an entertainer in vaudeville. It took a while for the audience to catch on, but after he gave up trying to make it as a dancer and started announcing and telling jokes, he soon became an audience favorite. He was celebrated in every area of show business, radio, television, movies, even singing, and for his humanitarian work, especially his shows for the American armed forces stationed overseas. My favorites of his movies include the “Road” series with his close friend Bing Crosby.
These are some of his best films for families.
posted October 14, 2010 at 9:33 am
My husband, with Bob Hope’s approval, created a limited-edition group of 20 statuettes of Hope as a golfer. Of the remaining three, one is in the Library of Congress, one owned by an unnamed woman and the third is in my husband’s possession. It stands 27 inches tall and was created to generate contributions for the Bob Hope Classic golf tournament’s charity event benefiting Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, CA. There were also a number of smaller unnumbered statuettes sold at the same event. Photos and detailed information can be obtained by e-mailing your inquiry to .