Star Power: Julien’s September 2024 Raquel Welch Part Two Sale

Award-winning actress Raquel Welch (American, born Jo Raquel Tejada, 1940 – 2023) became a household name, and an international pin-up girl, in 1966 for her appearance in a doe-skin bikini in the movie One Million Years BC. She would go on to appear in about ten movies and numerous television programs through the 1970s, further elevating her iconic status. Welch remained active in the entertainment industry through the late 20-teens, often making cameo appearances as herself in popular small screen and film franchises. Julien’s of Gardena, CA presented its 250+ lot Raquel Welch Part Two Sale on September 5, 2024. Here are some spotlight-stealing results from that auction that caught the eye of the Auction Daily editors. All prices noted include Julien’s 30% buyer’s premium.

The top lot in this red-carpet event was #0004, Welch’s screen-worn gown from the movie Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult. Estimated at USD 300 to $500, it realized $3,575. This long, fitted silver metallic spandex sleeveless dress has a halter neck, plunging back, and an inverted pleat in the rear. It also came with matching fingerless opera gloves to complete the look. The dress and gloves were sold with several black and white movie-related images showing Welch in this exact outfit.  

The Naked Gun movie franchise consisted of three motion pictures starring actor Leslie Nielsen as Sergeant Frank Drebin– a bumbling, crime-fighting detective. These films used slapstick comedy, over-the-top visual gags, and juvenile puns to tell their stories and entertain audiences. Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! was released in 1988, Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear was released in 1991, and Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult was released in 1994. Welch appeared in the 1994 film as herself but was unbilled. 

Eye-catching dresses used by Welch for photo shoots, celebrity appearances, and film work were a key category in this sale. Lot #0011, a white Bebe cotton-stretch dress worn by Welch to advertise a pixie-style wig, was estimated at $200 to $300 and made $3,250. This fitted garment was detailed with gold and silver-toned glue-back studs on its sleeves and front. The dress was sold with a copy of the print advertisement with her in the dress, along with two other dresses from her personal collection. These included a long-sleeved, textured white fabric one from Betsy Johnson and a champagne lace-gather long-sleeve cocktail gown by Carmen Marc Valvo.

In addition to her career in show business, Raquel Welch was also the creative director of a successful wig company. It is called HairUWear and is still in business, using her name and branding today. Many of the company’s wig styles were based on Welch’s most recognized and attractive on-camera hairstyles over the years. Her signature collection launched in 1998; it was designed with comfort and “sexiness” as top priorities.

Original artwork depicting Welch throughout her career also caught the attention of enthusiasts. Lot #0164, a portrait of the actress by Clayton LaFevre, was estimated at $200 to $300 and traded hands at $1,625. This framed work was signed and dated ‘Clayton 84’ on its lower left. It was rendered in mostly soft pastel colors and pictured the actress in typical 1980s-era work-out clothes and accessories, including a body suit, sweatband, and prominent gold neck chain.

Clayton LeFevre (American 1921 – 2012) was an artist best remembered for his oversized, acrylic-on-canvas celebrity portraits and a series of a dozen original works for Absolut Vodka. He also produced limited-edition prints and customized and decorated household furniture. When his subject was a celebrity, he often made two nearly identical paintings of them. LeFevre had them sign one and gifted them the other. His superstar-tiered subjects included Elizabeth Taylor, Frank Sinatra, Nancy Reagan, and Stevie Nicks.

Ephemera of all sorts with ties to Welch’s personal and professional life also rose to the top of this celebrity event. Lot #0280, a black and white photograph of Bruce Springsteen taken by Terry O’Neill, was estimated at $200 to $300 and sold for $1,625. This image was from 1975 and pictured the youthful musician posing near a billboard promoting his new Born to Run album. Measuring 11 inches by 14 inches, the piece is signed by the photographer on the lower right and inscribed to Raquel Welch on its lower left.

Photographer Terry O’Neill (British, 1938 – 2019) was best known for his work capturing trends, culture, and front-page personalities on film, starting in the 1960s. His style was to work with people in natural or unconventional settings. This gave context and depth to the subject being photographed. He was married to actress Faye Dunaway from 1982 to 1987; one of his most iconic images is that of the actress at the Beverly Hills Hotel, relaxing by the swimming pool, the morning after winning the Academy Award for Best Actress for the film Network in 1977. Examples of O’Neill’s work are part of the permanent collection at London’s National Portrait Gallery.

Jewelry, shoes, handbags, books, decorative household items, hats, and wigs from Welch’s estate rounded out this exciting sale. Lot #0042, a collection of auburn wigs, was estimated at $100 to $200 and scored $1,040. This group included five nearly identical wavy auburn wigs with layered blonde highlights from the performer’s own wig brand. Several retained their original sewn-in tags with handwritten inscriptions that described their color, style, and other details.

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