The late Truman Capote left behind a prodigious amount of novel drafts, New Journalism, and frenemies when he died in 1984. He also, you might not be surprised to learn, left behind a lot of tchotchkes.
This November, you can vie for a piece of the author’s legacy at a public auction of a lifetime’s worth of treasures, officially titled “The Magpie and the Swans: The Possessions of Truman Capote.”
The items were housed in Capote’s New York apartment and his house in Sagaponack, where Gerald Clarke—Capote’s biographer and confidant—has been their custodian for the past forty years.
According to Clarke, this collection “shows Capote’s magpie eye: he loved glitter, wit and comfort.” To wit, there are highbrow historic finds on display, like early Richard Avedons. There are also dozens and dozens of felt creatures from Capote’s menagerie.
Befitting a famous eccentric, there are also plenty of curveballs. (Why would a person need solid gold safety pins, you ask?) Between all these ferns, there’s probably something you need to gift a literary friend or family member this holiday season.
Intrigued, but don’t know where to start? Here are nine of the wildest things up for auction from Capote’s estate. (With thanks to Kaitlin Phillips’ Gift Guide for the event tip!)
Of unknown provenance, this bulldog tote ($60, as of this writing) is…oddly chic? And with its suspiciously inky looking stains, could well contain residue of the novelist’s pen strokes. It may also be the most wearable object in Capote’s collection of bulldog merch.
If textiles aren’t your style, Capote’s got you covered with several decorative dog heads. And we should note this fixation originated in a real canine.
More on this below, but in the meantime—here is the author with his beloved hound, Hid.
Fact: smoking is bad for you. Warring fact: this leopard head ashtray would probably look amazing on your coffee table.
At $700, this objet is on the pricier end. But I feel it captures something of the maestro’s dangerous wit. Holly Golightly might not have had this at home, but her nemesis coulda.
The playwright and novelist Jack Dunphy was Capote’s partner of 35 years. Romantic fans of either author can now take home Dunphy’s portable typewriter ($500).
A mint green Olivetti with a sleek Italian design, this little number is still in working order. And just think of the inspiration-by-proxy potential.
The auction includes a lot of Dunphy originals, for those who want a more specific memento. And if budget’s a problem, don’t stress. The Capote/Dunphy alliance produced a lot of household art.
These hand-painted coasters, for instance, are a highly original steal.
This plywood carnival game is $400 and very weird, and yet? I want it.
This reader is intrigued by the fact that the Man Target shows signs of wear. Perhaps Truman used it as practice, when aiming his poisonous (pen) darts.
I wouldn’t have pegged Capote for a spiritualist, personally. But apparently some soothsaying went down at the Sagaponack house.
An author’s crystal orb ($300), anyone? The horse comes with!
These panama hats are currently a bargain, at $160 for the set. A great gift for the impersonators in your circle.
There’s also the possibility of genius transfer. They say you can’t know a man till you walk two miles in his shoes. Might the same be said of authors and chapeaus?
These cartoon watches—featuring Superman and Bullwinkle, respectively—are currently a steal at $120. They also make a nice reminder of the man’s whimsy.
On the darker end of the catalogue, extreme freaks can purchase the cremains of one Capote dog. (“Likely Maggie,” per description.)
For my money, this doesn’t seem like it should be allowed. But fans will be fans, I guess? That said, if this lot appeals to you, I have further questions. Looking at you three current bidders, who have set the pup dust’s value at $250.
For the straightforward collector in your life, consider Capote’s first edition copy of To Kill a Mockingbird. Can’t go wrong with a classic.
This hardcover, a real piece of literary history, includes an inscription from the author to her best friend.
“The Magpie and the Swans” goes live on November 21st.
Images via, via
