Mumbai: He was the youngest face of the film screen, whose personality had an amazing freshness and whose skills shone like pearls. He was the evergreen actor of film history, Dev Anand, who may not be among us today, but his unmatched acting and excellent direction are still alive and the pride of the film screen. He was one of the greatest and most successful actors in the history of Indian cinema, who worked in more than 100 films in a career that spanned over six decades. He was honored with Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award in 2001 and with Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India’s highest award for cinematic excellence in 2002.
In the year 2024, a golden opportunity has come for Dev Anand’s fans to own a piece of his legacy, as the online auction house Derivaz & Ives is offering the finest collection of film promotional art featuring the cinematic icon – Dev Anand. The auction house, which specializes in Modern and Contemporary Indian Fine Arts, Vintage & Classic Automobiles, Antiquarian Books and Prints, and Indian and Hollywood Film Memorabilia, had an amazing performance with the successful auction of art memorabilia from Satyajit Ray, Amitabh Bachchan, and Raj Kapoor in the last year.
The auction, which will begin on Thursday 8th February, and close at 7 pm on 10th February 2024, with registration open from tomorrow, will include untouched posters, photographs, showcards, lobby cards, and song booklets of his unique films. From classics like Baazi (1951), Kala Bazaar (1960), C.I.D. (1956), Kala Paani (1958), Guide (1965), Tere Ghar Ke Samne (1963), Hare Rama Hare Krishna (1971), Johnny Mera Naam (1970), Heera Panna (1973) to rare and old photographic photographs, posters, showcards, lobby cards etc. of his lesser known films like Aaram (1951), Milap (1955), Maya (1961), Manzil (1960), Kahin Aur Chal (1968), Baarish (1957), Baat Ek Raat Ki (1962), Sarhad (1960), Kinare Kinare (1963) etc.
Some of the highlights of the auction are:
- A rare set of Kala Bazaar (1960) and Johnny Mera Naam (1970) lobby cards, featuring Dev Anand in his dashing and debonair roles.
- Eight first release promotional black and white photographic stills from Guide (1965), one of the most acclaimed films of Dev Anand, based on the novel by R. K. Narayan, which won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi and was entered for Best Foreign Language Film at the 38th Academy Awards.
- Fifteen color photographic stills from Hare Rama Hare Krishna (1971), a film that explored the hippie culture and addressed the issue of drug abuse, was written, produced, and directed by Dev Anand himself.
- Rare and beautifully designed sets of Munimji (1955), Milap (1955), Sarhad (1960), Maya (1961), Manzil (1960), Kinare Kinare (1963), Guide (1965), Gambler (1973), Darling Darling (1977) posters and unique Indian collaged handmade showcards of Kaala Paani (1958), Kinare Kinare (1963), Banarasi Babu (1973) and Ameer Gharib (1974).
Senior spokesperson of the Derivaz & Ives Film Department – SMM Ausaja, further explains that the little famous black and white silver gelatin photograph of Baazi, the guide photographic publicity stills created for the international launch, promotional and song booklets for Sarhad, the complete set Black Market lobby card are among the memorabilia in this auction. He says, “This is a rare chance for the fans and collectors of Dev Anand to bid for his film memorabilia, which are not only valuable but also nostalgic. Dev Anand was a legend of Indian cinema, who inspired generations of actors and filmmakers with his style, charisma, and talent. His film memorabilia are a testament to his legacy and contribution to the Indian entertainment industry.”
The online auction on Derivaz & Ives website will be open for bidding from 8th to 10th February 2024. Interested buyers can register on the website and view the catalog of the auction items. The auction house expects a high demand and fierce competition for the film memorabilia of Dev Anand, who was also known as the Evergreen Star of the Millennium.
