Diaries and a ring tracing the love affair between “Gone with the Wind” star Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier are going up for auction in London next month, providing a glimpse into one of Hollywood’s most notorious relationships.
(Reuters) – Diaries and a ring tracing the love affair between &ldquo-Gone with the Wind&rdquo- star Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier are going up for auction in London next month, providing a glimpse into one of Hollywood&rsquo-s most notorious relationships.
&ldquo-Told Leigh,&rdquo- wrote the British actress on June 10, 1937, recording the day she informed her husband, Leigh Holman, about the affair. &ldquo-Left with Larry,&rdquo- is the hasty entry six days later.
The diaries, which carry an estimated auction value of 2,000-3,000 pounds ($2,587-$3,880), form part of Leigh&rsquo-s personal collection of jewelry, photos and paintings that is to be auctioned in London on Sept. 26, Sotheby&rsquo-s said on Wednesday.
Leigh also made notes about her screen tests for &ldquo-Gone with the Wind&rdquo- and the day in January 1939 when she finally started filming. She went on to win an Oscar for playing petulant Southern belle Scarlett O&lsquo-Hara in the American Civil War classic.
Leigh and Olivier began their affair around 1936 when both were married to other people, according to Olivier&rsquo-s previously published love letters.
Because of the scandal of adultery and divorce, they married in secret in California in August 1940 at a low-key ceremony. A silver goblet gift from Katharine Hepburn, one of only four guests recorded at the wedding, is included in the auction.
A ring, inscribed with the words &ldquo-Laurence Olivier Vivien Leigh Eternally&rdquo- is expected to sell for up to 600 pounds ($776).
Leigh and Olivier remained married for 20 years before divorcing in 1960. Leigh died in 1967 and Olivier died in 1989.
Other auction highlights include Olivier&rsquo-s annotated working copy of &ldquo-Hamlet&rdquo- from his 1948 film, a set of Leigh&rsquo-s monogrammed luggage and a first edition of Ian Fleming&rsquo-s first James Bond novel &ldquo-Casino Royale,&rdquo- valued at up to 9,000 pounds ($11,640).
The collection is being sold following the death of Leigh&rsquo-s only child, Suzanne Farrington, in 2015.
($1 = 0.7732 pound)
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