AuctionsMar 03, 2022
Michael Caine’s Rolex Sells for $133K at AuctionAuctionsApr 12, 2022
Betty White’s Wedding Ring Can Be Yours
Julien’s Auctions is holding a sale of the late legend’s personal possessions this fall, including a few pieces of fine jewelry.
Betty White’s gold and diamond wedding ring from her marriage to Allen Ludden is among the more than 1,500 lots featured in the upcoming auction “Property From the Life and Career of Betty White.” The ring is estimated to sell for $600 to $800. (Photo credit: Julien’s Auctions)
Los Angeles—Betty White’s wedding ring and a necklace she wore on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” are among the lots in a massive auction of the late legend’s personal possessions set to take place this fall.
On Sept. 23-25, Julien’s Auctions will host “Property from the Life and Career of Betty White” in Beverly Hills, California, a sale of more than 1,500 lots from White, who died at 99 on Dec. 31, just weeks shy of her 100th birthday.
Born in Oak Park, Illinois on Jan. 17, 1922, White broke into TV in the medium’s early days, co-hosting “Hollywood on Television With Al Jarvis” beginning in 1949.
It was the start of a career that would span a record-setting eight decades, with White starring in two critically acclaimed sitcoms—“The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and “The Golden Girls”—and winning five Primetime Emmy Awards, two Daytime Emmys, two Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards, and a SAG Lifetime Achievement Award.
Julien’s sale from White’s estate includes numerous lots of TV memorabilia—autographed scripts, dresses she wore to various awards shows, her director’s chair from “The Golden Girls” set, etc.—and a few pieces of jewelry that were undoubtedly dear to White.
There is the gold and diamond wedding band she wore throughout her marriage to her beloved third husband Allen Ludden, whom she met as a celebrity guest on the game show he hosted, “Password.”
The ring, pictured above, is estimated to sell for $600-$800.
Also up for sale is Ludden’s matching wedding band, which is gold and engraved with their wedding date, “6-14-63,” and the words “I really do.” Ludden’s band is also estimated at $600 to $800.
One of the highest valued lots in the auction is a vintage gold Van Cleef & Arpels flower brooch set with brilliant-cut diamonds and sapphires.
Believed to be a gift from Ludden, who died in 1981, White was photographed wearing the pin on numerous occasions beginning in 2010, Julien’s said. It is estimated to sell for $14,000-$16,000.
Stay Golden: See Some of the Items Up for Auction
On Sept. 23-25, Julien’s Auctions will host “Property from the Life and Career of Betty White” in Beverly Hills, California, a sale of more than 1,500 lots from White, who died at 99 on Dec. 31, just weeks shy of her 100th birthday.
Born in Oak Park, Illinois on Jan. 17, 1922, White broke into TV in the medium’s early days, co-hosting “Hollywood on Television With Al Jarvis” beginning in 1949.
It was the start of a career that would span a record-setting eight decades, with White starring in two critically acclaimed sitcoms—“The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and “The Golden Girls”—and winning five Primetime Emmy Awards, two Daytime Emmys, two Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards, and a SAG Lifetime Achievement Award.
Julien’s sale from White’s estate includes numerous lots of TV memorabilia—autographed scripts, dresses she wore to various awards shows, her director’s chair from “The Golden Girls” set, etc.—and a few pieces of jewelry that were undoubtedly dear to White.
There is the gold and diamond wedding band she wore throughout her marriage to her beloved third husband Allen Ludden, whom she met as a celebrity guest on the game show he hosted, “Password.”
The ring, pictured above, is estimated to sell for $600-$800.
Also up for sale is Ludden’s matching wedding band, which is gold and engraved with their wedding date, “6-14-63,” and the words “I really do.” Ludden’s band is also estimated at $600 to $800.
One of the highest valued lots in the auction is a vintage gold Van Cleef & Arpels flower brooch set with brilliant-cut diamonds and sapphires.
Believed to be a gift from Ludden, who died in 1981, White was photographed wearing the pin on numerous occasions beginning in 2010, Julien’s said. It is estimated to sell for $14,000-$16,000.
Stay Golden: See Some of the Items Up for Auction
Allen Ludden’s wedding band, estimated to sell for $600-$800, is engraved with the date he married Betty White at the Las Vegas Convention Center, June 14, 1963. (Photo credit: Julien’s Auctions)
White’s sapphire and diamond Van Cleef & Arpels brooch, believed to be a gift from Ludden, could sell for as much as $16,000. (Photo credit: Julien’s Auctions)
White wore this necklace (sale estimate, $1,000 to $2,000) to the Primetime Emmys in 1976, where she won an Emmy for her role as Sue Ann Nivens on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.” She also wore it on multiple episodes of the show, including the season 5 classic “A Girl Like Mary.” (Photo credit: Julien’s Auctions)
White was photographed wearing this delicate 14-karat gold watch early in her career. It is engraved with “T.C.W.,” the initials of her mother, Tess Curtis White. (Photo credit: Julien’s Auctions)
The auction also includes memorabilia from White’s long and storied career in entertainment. Pictured here is an original taping ticket from “The Betty White Show” (NBC, 1954) that’s estimated to sell for $500 to $1,000. (Photo credit: Julien’s Auctions)
The auction estimate for this silver Tiffany & Co. clock given to White when she was named KNX Newsradio “Woman of the Year” in 1984 is $1,000 to $2,000. (Photo credit: Julien’s Auctions)
In addition to Sue Ann Nivens, White won an Emmy for playing Rose Nylund on “The Golden Girls.” Included in the auction are a number of gifts the show’s stars four stars—White, Bea Arthur, Rue McClanahan and Estelle Getty—had made for the crew, like this engraved pictured frame ($500 to $700). (Photo credit: Julien’s Auctions)
A script for part two of “The Golden Girls” series finale signed by the show’s four stars is estimated to fetch $3,000 to $5,000. Included in the lot is a copy of the part one script signed by guest star Leslie Nielsen. (Photo credit: Julien’s Auctions)
Also estimated to sell for $1,000-$2,000 is an Adams watch White was photographed wearing in the early days of her career.
The 14-karat gold timepiece is engraved with “T.C.W. 12-25-40,” the initials of her mother, Tess Curtis White.
Related stories will be right here …
The 14-karat gold timepiece is engraved with “T.C.W. 12-25-40,” the initials of her mother, Tess Curtis White.
“Property from the Life and Career of Betty White” will take place in person Sept. 23-25 at Julien’s Auctions in Beverly Hills and online at JuliensAuctions.com.
Special exhibitions of selected items from the auctions are scheduled for May 12 to July 4 at Museo de la Moda in Santiago, Chile; Aug. 1 to Sept. 11 at The Museum of Style Icons at Newbridge Silverware in Kildare, Ireland; and at Julien’s in Beverly Hills from Sept. 19 to 22.
The Sept. 20 exhibition at Julien’s will include a screening of the PBS documentary “Betty White: First Lady of Television.”
In addition, Julien’s is partnering with cruise line Cunard to take White’s possessions on a transatlantic trek.
Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 will set sail from New York on Aug. 5 and arrive in Southampton in the U.K. on Aug. 12.
During the cruise, guests will get to view a daily rotating exhibition of White’s items and attend a Q&A with Julien’s executives Darren Julien and Martin Nolan.
More information on the auction is available on the Julien’s website.
More on Auctions
The Latest
Supplier BulletinJun 30, 2022
Here’s Where You’ll Find The Best Online Jewelry AuctionsSponsored by HiBid
CrimeJun 30, 2022
What JSA’s Annual Report Tells Us About Jewelry Crime in 2021Plus, JSA President John Kennedy talks about the trajectory of industry crime over the last 20 years.
CrimeJun 30, 2022
Smash-and-Grab Robbers Hit Booth at TEFAF: Watch the VideoThe fair was evacuated temporarily Tuesday after four suspects smashed a showcase and stole jewelry from British jeweler Symbolic & Chase.
Brought to you by
Preparing for Proposal Season with High-Quality, A.I.-Graded Natural Diamonds Rare & Forever is helping to create an enjoyable diamond buying experience for the millions of newly-engaged couples.
Events & AwardsJun 30, 2022
Nominations Are Open for Gem Awards 2023The 21st annual awards show and gala will take place in New York City next March.
Weekly QuizJun 23, 2022
This Week’s QuizTest your knowledge of the latest jewelry news with this quick test.
Events & AwardsJun 30, 2022
Registration Open for JIS Fall in Miami The jewelry trade show is scheduled for Sept. 30-Oct. 3 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
MajorsJun 29, 2022
Zales Has a New Diamond CutThe “Celebration Infinite” diamond has more than three times the number of facets in a traditional brilliant-cut diamond, the retailer said.
Brought to you by
Discover The Extraordinary Italian Jewelry In Las Vegas!Experience all the Italian Jewelry market has to offer in Las Vegas.
WatchesJun 29, 2022
Bulova Introduces New Frank Sinatra WatchesThe brand again partnered with the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts High School to celebrate the launch of the “Summer Wind” watches.
SurveysJun 29, 2022
U.S. Platinum Jewelry Demand Starts 2022 on a Strong NoteRetail ounce sales were up 23 percent year-over-year in Q1, according to the recent Platinum Jewellery Business Review.
Events & AwardsJun 29, 2022
Registration Is Now Open for the HardRock Summit 2022Scheduled for Sept. 8-11, the event will comprise more than 310,000 square feet of show floor, exhibits, and education space.
ColumnistsJun 28, 2022
The PR Adviser: Why Should Someone Buy From You?If you’re having trouble answering this question, columnist Lilian Raji can help you get a started with a few fill-in-the-blank statements.
IndependentsJun 28, 2022
This Jeweler Is Celebrating 40 Years With 40 Days of GiveawaysContinental Diamond in Minneapolis is awarding a total of $25,000 in prizes via daily sweepstakes.
CollectionsJun 28, 2022
Melissa Kaye’s New Collection Doubles the Color“Lenox” marks the designer’s foray into bespoke jewels and large colored gemstones.
Events & AwardsJun 28, 2022
Second AGS Virtual Education Conference Is All About Negotiation Skills“Confluence” is happening in August.
MajorsJun 27, 2022
George Holmes, Longtime Head Editor of JCK Magazine, Dies at 93 He first took a job at then Philadelphia-based Jewelers’ Circular-Keystone in 1963 and retired in 1996.
MajorsJun 27, 2022
Mayors, Analog:Shift Team Up With GoopThe lifestyle platform will stock fine jewelry and watches from the retailers on its website and in store.
CrimeJun 27, 2022
JSA Warns of ‘Pandemic’ of Distraction Thefts Nationwide It cited two recent cases in California, plus incidents in Florida, Kansas, and Illinois.
IndependentsJun 27, 2022
Lewis Jewelers Set to Open New Ann Arbor Store This SummerThe 10,000-square-foot location allows for expanded collections from design partners while continuing custom design and other services.
CollectionsJun 27, 2022
This Designer Has Found a New Way to Bring Gemstones to LifeSvetlana Lazar’s “Wishing Well” collection utilizes an innovative component to mimic the movement of water beneath them.
Recorded WebinarsJun 24, 2022
Vegas Jewelry Recap: The Editors Weigh InWatch the webinar in which National Jeweler’s editors talk about jewelry market week trends and their predictions for the rest of 2022.
MajorsJun 24, 2022
Banter by Piercing Pagoda Celebrates Pride with ‘SayGay’ NecklaceAll proceeds up to $25,000 will benefit the It Gets Better Project, a nonprofit that supports LGBTQ+ youth.
CollectionsJun 24, 2022
Piece of the Week: Marie Lichtenberg’s Hidden Message LocketIt’s a reminder that life is best lived with discretion.
TechnologyJun 24, 2022
Cloud-Based POS Software Jewel360 Launches for Jewelry RetailersThe end-to-end software allows for real-time control over all sales, inventory, repairs, customer communications, and marketing.
EditorsJun 23, 2022
Antique Show Observations From a First-Time AttendeeAssociate Editor Lenore Fedow shares her impressions of the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show and a few of her favorite finds.
GradingJun 23, 2022
AIGS Launches Grading Report for ‘Santa Maria’ AquamarineThe Asian Institute of Gemological Sciences aims to set a color standard for the trade name.
