Truman Capote’s Ashes Are Up for Auction

One rich, possibly lucky someone will soon be in possession of some of the late Truman Capote’s remains. The literary figure’s ashes are going up for auction in September, in addition to various other knick-knacks and wardrobe staples with Hollywood connections.

Julien’s Auctions, based in Los Angeles, is selling Capote’s death-dust as part of "Icons & Idols," an auction that also includes silent film star Harold Lloyd’s massive autograph collection; Jane Fonda’s clothing, jewelry, and art; and memorabilia from stars such as Katharine Hepburn, Barbra Streisand, Fred Astaire, Clark Gable, and more.

Since his death, a portion of Capote’s ashes have stayed at the home of Joanne Carson (the ex-wife of late-night host Johnny Carson), where the author died in 1984. However, Capote's remains are unusually appealing to people. The ashes were stolen once from a party at Carson’s house in 1988, and though they were returned, a few years later someone attempted to walk out with the urn again. And those aren’t even all of the ashes—some were spread near Capote’s home on Long Island. Carson died last year, leaving her portion of Capote’s ashes homeless.

Of the decision to auction off someone’s remains, Julien’s CEO Darren Julien told Vanity Fair “... if it wasn’t Truman Capote, we would pass because we wouldn’t want to be disrespectful. And the antics he was always up to, and how much he loved press—it’s no question that that is something he would have wanted done.” Bids will start at $2000. 

If you’re a true Capote fan, you need not stop with a wooden box filled with his ashes. You can also buy one of two collections of his prescription pill bottles from the ‘80s—including “a number of the drugs [which were] found in his system at the time of his death"—that Carson inexplicably held onto. Other options include some needlepoint pillows he owned, and art books from his personal library.

Other weird celebrity memorabilia available for purchase: Fred Astaire’s spats (a type of shoe covering), a pair of Rita Hayworth’s shoes that she likely wore on the set of her 1965 film The Money Trap, a dress belonging to Audrey Hepburn, Katharine Hepburn’s handwritten letters, Jane Fonda’s wedding dress and engagement ring from her marriage to Ted Turner, and a leather jacket worn by Steve Jobs. 

Ready to bid? Head here, and good luck. 

All images courtesy of Julien’s Live

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