Sotheby's To Auction Gielgud Items

LONDON
Furniture, books and theatrical mementos of Sir John Gielgud and Sir Ralph Richardson will be sold at auctions next month.

"The sales contain many mementos of their long friendship and their gifts to each other over half a century," Sotheby's auction house chairman James Miller said Wednesday. "So they will not only be of interest to antiques collectors but to followers of acting and the theater worldwide."

The sale of Gielgud's possessions is set for April 5. The actor, who died last year at age 96, was not married; the sale will benefit his favorite charities for actors and animal welfare.

Among the items up for auction are Gielgud's familiar Panama hat, gloves and cigarette case; theater posters; and 27 pocket editions of William Shakespeare's works, which he began buying as a drama student and annotated for performances.

Sale of the paintings, furniture and theatrical memorabilia of Richardson and his wife, Meriel, who died last year at age 86, will be held on April 27.

Richardson died in 1983 at age 80. His wife established in her will a foundation to benefit actors in reduced circumstances. Its trustees are selling the couple's possessions to raise funds.