Hollywood Collector's Sale! Signed Edith Head & Bob Mackie Sketches

estate sale | 3 day sale | 3 days away
Address
The address for this sale in Valley Village, CA 91607 will be available after 9:00am on Thursday, September 17th, 2026.
Dates
Fri
Sep 18
10am to 2pm
Sat
Sep 19
10am to 4pm
Sun
Sep 20
10am to 4pm

Terms & Conditions

Please do not ask for prices prior to day 1 of the sale.

No purses, back packs, boxes, or strollers inside the house. We accept Venmo, Zelle, and cash. California state taxes will be charged at checkout unless a valid seller's permit is presented.
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Cockatoo Estates

Company Website
Company Details
(213) 321-9348

Description & Details

Step into the wonderfully theatrical world of Tom Culver—a film and television costumer, cabaret singer, author and lifelong lover of Hollywood history. As a member of Motion Picture Costumers, IATSE Local 705, he spent decades behind the scenes on productions including The Love Boat, Love Boat: The Next Wave and Murder, She Wrote, along with Mobsters, Town & Country, Purpose and Mike Nichols’s What Planet Are You From?

We are delighted to facilitate an insider's shopping experience of behind the scenes Hollywood history including but not limited to original costume drawings, including signed works by Edith Head and Bob Mackie and one of a kind sketches with production notes and personal inscriptions. Photographs of stars such as Marilyn Monroe, Angela Lansbury, Elvis Presley, Rita Hayworth, Elizabeth Taylor and many more noir sirens appear throughout the collection, alongside costume-test photographs, entertainment magazines and movie and theatre posters.

Tom had an eye for drama, on and off the screen. His home was filled with Art Deco lamps, Erté collector plates, an Egyptian-inspired figural table, an Artedi dining set, bamboo furniture and books galore. He also kept an extensive wardrobe of vintage menswear and designer clothing, along with thousands of DVDs, VHS tapes, CDs and cassettes—the personal archive of a man who truly loved movies, music and performance.

A Hollywood Life Beyond the Costume Department:

Tom’s affection for Hollywood found its way into his writing. He edited The Murder, She Wrote Cookbook, gathering recipes from the show’s cast and crew, and wrote They Did It With Their Clothes On, his look at glamour and seduction on the silver screen. At the time of his passing, he was working on a book about costume designer Yvonne Wood.

Tom performed in Los Angeles cabaret rooms including The Gardenia, where his show Thanks for the Memory was recorded live. His album Duke’s Place celebrated the music of Duke Ellington, with producer and fellow singer Mark Winkler joining him for a duet on “Caravan.”

Whether he was working behind the camera, writing about the silver screen or standing at a microphone, Tom understood that clothes, music and movies could tell a story. He devoted his life to those stories—and he kept the evidence.

Collection Highlights

  1. Hundreds of original costume and fashion drawings, including signed works by Edith Head and Bob Mackie
  2. Production notes, fabric swatches, period costume studies and personal inscriptions
  3. Photographs of Marilyn Monroe, Angela Lansbury, Elvis Presley, Rita Hayworth, Elizabeth Taylor and many more
  4. Costume-test photographs and vintage entertainment magazines
  5. Movie and theatre posters, including The Wizard of Oz, Ninotchka, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and Irene
  6. A That Touch of Mink display
  7. Art Deco sketches, lamps and collectible Erté plates
  8. An Artedi dining set with six rattan-style chairs
  9. An Egyptian-inspired figural table
  10. Mid-century bamboo and rattan furniture
  11. Vintage barware and cocktail glasses
  12. Decorative fashion plates
  13. Vintage menswear and designer men’s clothing
  14. Thousands of DVDs, VHS tapes, CDs and cassette tapes

A Tom Culver CD will be included with every purchase!

This is a sale for costume designers and costumers, film historians, fashion students, Hollywood collectors, cabaret devotees, Deco lovers and anyone who still gets a thrill from discovering something with a real story behind it.

We extend a special welcome to Tom’s fellow Local 705 members and his colleagues in the Costume Designers Guild.

Come for an original drawing, a photograph, a cocktail glass or an outrageous piece of furniture. Stay awhile and get to know the man who brought it all together.

Plan Your Visit

Hollywood Legends Estate Sale

Valley Village, Los Angeles

September 18–20, 2026

Street parking is available. Please be considerate of the neighborhood and do not block driveways.

Browse the photographs and individual captions for additional details, favorite the sale and check back when the address is released.

Hollywood collectors, your ship has come in!

Follow @cockatooclubla for video reels of this sale!

Sale PictureDebbie Reynolds Sketch Signed by Bob Mackie Bob Makie sketch, signed.Elizabeth Taylor sketch signed by Edith Head.Tom Culver, the legend himselfRita Hayworth photoLiza Minelli Original formal menswear costume drawing with black tailcoat, white waistcoat, top hat, gloves and umbrella. Production notes specify restaurant and rainy street scenes and call for a double. The sheet carries a personal dedication to Tom Culver and a second handwritten name below.Erte collector's plate..Original framed fashion illustration of a black evening gown with a sweeping embellished train, long gloves and a pale yellow wrap. Displayed with a blue mat and ornate gold-tone frame; lettering and a handwritten date are visible on the sheet. From Tom Culver’s collection.Original framed theatrical costume drawing inscribed to Tom Culver, with “Dr. Dolittle” and “Theadora Van Runkle” written on the sheet. The red-and-gold ensemble has a ruffled collar, matching cap and white stockings against a teal background.Sale PictureSale PictureOriginal framed fashion drawing of a gray skirt suit with a cropped jacket, necktie and matching hat. Handwritten notes include “Maison Rochas” and “1954.” Decorative motifs circle the skirt; the sheet is presented with a dark mat and gold-tone frame.Sale PictureFramed Vargas 1980 Calendar artwork featuring a seated glamour figure with a hand mirror. “Vargas” and “1980 Calendar” are printed prominently below the image. Presented with a burgundy mat and gold-tone frame; a collectible calendar piece from Tom Culver’s collection.Black and white Marilyn Monroe costume test photograph with a production slate visible beside the figureOriginal Hollywood costume drawing of a man in a brown three-piece suit, carrying a hat. Handwritten labeling identifies Fredric March in Hombre, with a large signature beneath the figure. The coat, waistcoat and tie are rendered in restrained brown and gray tones. From Tom Culver’s costume collection.Original costume illustration of a white dress with red linear detailing, a purple wide-brimmed hat and matching waist ties. Handwritten production notes and a signature appear on the sheet. Visible paper wear.Original costume drawing labeled “First Family” and “Bob Newhart,” depicting a pale yellow dinner jacket with colorful trim, black trousers and bow tie. Attached fabric swatches and handwritten tailoring notes offer a closer look at the costume-design process. From Tom Culver’s film memorabilia collection.Original costume drawing labeled “Burt Reynolds” and “Back Street,” depicting a belted double-breasted trench coat. The sheet bears “Bobbie Mannix 74” lettering and a green personal inscription to Tom. Presented with a teal mat; a distinctive menswear study from his Hollywood costume collection.Sale PictureFramed black-and-white portrait photograph with a handwritten dedication to Tom. The close-up composition, dark wrap and simple black frame make it a striking addition to the estate’s entertainment memorabilia. See the inscription and photograph in person for details.Sale PictureOriginal fashion illustration of a pale fitted evening gown with slender straps, a structured bodice and a flared hem. Fine vertical lines and small dark decorative motifs emphasize the silhouette. A costume-design study from Tom Culver’s collection; the photograph shows the sheet’s central fold.Egyptian Revival-style accent table with a kneeling figure supporting a round glass top on raised hands. Contrasting dark and pale finishes, a striped headdress and a rectangular plinth base. Maker and age unverified.Original costume drawing of a gold-and-olive draped ensemble with a patterned veil, long fringe and layered jewelry. The figure is shown in profile, highlighting the fabric movement and intricate styling. Initials “TVR” appear near the lower edge of the sheet. From Tom Culver’s collection.Original theatrical costume drawing of an elaborately jeweled coat, feathered white turban and tall patterned boots against a vivid orange background. Red, white and gold ornament across the coat and boots. From Tom Culver’s Hollywood collection.Original matted costume illustration of a white column gown with a dramatic black-and-red motif and long teal drapery. A signature appears at lower right. Rust-colored mat.Glass-top dining table with a pale stone-look pedestal, brass-tone supports and six rattan-style armchairs upholstered in blue-and-cream patterned fabric. The sculptural base and curved chair frames suit an Art Deco Revival interior. Decorative objects in the background are separate estate items; ask at the sale about pricing and availability.Art Deco Revival-style rattan display cabinet with a rounded top, closely spaced horizontal reeds and brass-tone trim. Glass-front upper storage and shelves above two wide drawers. Glassware and other contents are separate sale items.Original military-style costume drawing of a blue-and-gold tailcoat with epaulettes, white trousers, black boots and a bicorne hat. An illustrated sword completes the full-length study. Paper spotting and wear are visible in this photograph from Tom Culver’s costume collection.Original framed soldier costume study showing a rear view with a bedroll, umbrella and long firearm. The attached production label reads “Nationalist Soldier Summer” and includes scene references. Handwritten notes and the number 84 appear on the sheet. From Tom Culver’s Hollywood collection.Original framed costume study showing front and back views of a child in a red bib-style garment and loose blue trousers. The rear view includes a long stick or pole. Handwritten notes and the number 52 appear on the sheet; from Tom Culver’s costume artwork collection.Original costume drawing for Hombre depicting a high-necked mauve blouse and long olive-toned skirt. The attached production label includes “Held Captive” and “Martin Ritt–20th Century-Fox.” A large signature and handwritten initials appear on the sheet; visible paper discoloration is shown.Original costume drawing for Hombre showing a brown jacket over a striped blouse and long striped skirt, with the figure holding a wide-brimmed hat. The production label references an interior hotel lobby scene. Handwritten initials and a large signature appear on the sheet, from Tom Culver’s film costume collection.Original Hombre costume drawing with a production label identifying Margaret Blye as Doris, “Change 2C” and “On The Tracks, To Bisbee.” The figure wears a wide-brimmed hat, striped blouse and long gold-and-brown skirt. A large signature and handwritten notes remain visible.Original framed silver gown costume illustration with sweeping dark accents and a smaller construction sketchTraditional wood dresser with an attached framed mirror, a central cupboard and drawers of graduated sizes. Arched door panel, dark metal pulls and a shaped apron along the base.Sale PictureOriginal costume drawing bearing the signature Miles White, with a display card identifying Marlene Dietrich in Around the World in 80 Days. A towering feathered headdress and brightly colored costume fill the sheet. Framed with the identification card beneath the drawing.Original framed costume illustration of a pale flowing gown with Jean Louis lettering and a dramatic full length silhouetteOriginal Egyptian inspired costume drawing of a white gown with a jeweled collar and handwritten dedication in a blue matOriginal male period costume drawing with a richly patterned gold cape white hose and elaborate Renaissance style detailingGreen patinated sculptural face displayed on a tall column with a round base from the Tom Culver estateOriginal framed costume illustration of a green gown with a dark waist sash and large hat from the Tom Culver collectionBlack and white Hollywood portrait with a handwritten dedication shown in the edited photograph from the Tom Culver collectionPair of pale carved guardian lion figures on stepped stone bases from the Tom Culver estateColor Hollywood portrait of a dark haired performer in a pale blue dress from the Tom Culver photograph collectionBlack and white Carole Lombard publicity portrait with Paramount printed identification from the Tom Culver collectionBlack and white Hollywood portrait of a blonde performer in a patterned blouse from the Tom Culver photograph collectionBlack and white Hollywood glamour portrait of a brunette performer in a beaded gown from the Tom Culver collectionFull length black and white portrait of an elaborate feathered stage costume and wide brimmed hatColor glamour photograph of a performer in a sequined two piece costume seated against a red backgroundFramed Ninotchka movie poster featuring Greta Garbo and Melvyn Douglas from the Hollywood memorabilia collectionOriginal costume illustration of a fitted brown dress with feathered accessories and a signature at the lower edgeVintage People magazines featuring Bette Davis and Fred Astaire displayed with Hollywood photographsFramed Wizard of Oz movie poster featuring Judy Garland and the principal cast from the Tom Culver collectionHow to Live with a Neurotic Cat by Stephen Baker with an illustrated cat cover from the estate book collectionOriginal black-and-white costume sketch with a wide-brimmed hat, spotted blouse and long skirt. Handwritten inscription describes it as “the first rough sketch for Scruples,” dated February 1980. Loose construction lines remain visible around the finished silhouette.Evening-gown drawing bearing the signature Gwen Wakeling and the handwritten notation “Magnolia–Trocadero / New Years Eve.” Pale, flowing drapery with gold-toned accents, presented in a yellow mat. The inscription identifies the look; its production history remains unverified.Original costume drawing inscribed “Linda Darnell,” “Blackbeard the Pirate” and “1952,” bearing the signature Michael Woulfe. The red period gown has an off-the-shoulder neckline, puff sleeves, a fitted bodice and scrolling ornament across the overskirt. Presented in a carved gold-tone frame. From Tom Culver’s collection.White woven textile with green checkerboard border and Harrys Bar letteringSigned original Donald Brooks costume drawing labeled “Daniel Massey,” “Change #6A” and “Boat Party.” The figure wears a striped sleeveless shirt and dark shorts, with loose pencil studies behind him. A personal dedication appears beside the figure. Framed with a blue mat.Detail of the Egyptian Revival-style glass-top table: kneeling figure with a striped headdress, raised arms and contrasting pale and dark finishes. Round glass rests above the hands; rectangular plinth below.ET the Extra Terrestrial movie poster from the Tom Culver Hollywood memorabilia collectionFramed costume illustration of a black evening gown with a dramatic feathered headdressOriginal framed costume illustration of a pink full skirted period gown with a blue waist sashFramed black and white ballerina portrait with Milton H Greene photography identificationFramed Irene musical theatre poster featuring Debbie Reynolds and a fashion illustrationBlack and white Hollywood portrait with a handwritten dedication to Tom and visible signatureOriginal full length theatrical costume sketch of a red robe over a pale gown with handwritten notesColor Hollywood portrait of a reclining brunette performer in a white blouse against a red cushionVintage black and white costume portrait of a woman wearing a structured hat and tailored outfitVintage Hollywood portrait with a handwritten dedication beside a woman in a feathered hatBlack and white costume test photograph of a short sleeved dress with a production slate visibleBlack and white costume test photograph showing a belted dress and cardigan with a production slateBlack and white costume test photograph of a full skirted gown beside a tall decorative vase and production slateBlack and white costume test photograph of a skirt suit and hat with a production slate visibleVintage photograph of an elaborate fantasy costume with a handwritten dedication beneath the imageOriginal yellow period-gown costume drawing labeled “Loretta Young” and “The Men in Her Life,” with “Scene 96” noted beside the figure. Fitted jacket-style bodice, tiered full skirt, wide white collar and matching hat; a potted palm is sketched at upper right.Original pair of framed costume illustrations showing figures with baskets and colorful clothingOriginal framed costume illustration of a long brown gown with an elaborate hat and pale accessoriesColor fantasy costume portrait with an ornate jeweled headdress and layered necklacesOriginal blue-gray costume drawing labeled “Belita,” showing a short, draped dress with an asymmetric neckline and loose sleeve panels. The figure is drawn with outstretched arms; additional pencil notes remain on the sheet. Blue mat with a narrow red inner border.Art Deco-style decorative plate with a black ground, a gold-toned fashion figure and a large white starburst. Small stars circle the rim. Maker and edition marks have not been checked.Black-and-white decorative plate with a stylized woman walking a dog, a sweeping striped wrap and a chain-pattern border. Art Deco-inspired fashion imagery.Original costume drawing of a black and gold gown with a large circular headdress and handwritten production notesOriginal costume sketch of a green period gown with ruffled detailing and a standing full length figureOriginal costume drawing of a seated figure in a blue patterned ensemble and turban on an ornate golden chairSale PictureSale PictureSale PictureSale PictureSale PictureSale PictureSale PictureSale PictureSale PictureSale PictureSale Picture

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