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.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Auctions
The Latest
Recorded WebinarsMay 27, 2022
Watch: The 5 Things I Always Take to a Trade ShowEditor-in-Chief Michelle Graff is joined by three industry veterans to talk about the items they never leave behind and why.
CollectionsMay 27, 2022
92Y Has Selected its 2022 Artist in ResidenceGerman jewelry artist Alexander Blank is the fourth designer to receive the honor.
CollectionsMay 27, 2022
Piece of the Week: Which Movie Inspired This Chopard Masterpiece?The answer is “Hair,” and the necklace is from Chopard’s 2022 Red Carpet Collection, rolled out at the Cannes Film Festival.
Brought to you by
3 Reasons to Offer Estate Buying at Your StoreProvide your customers with a seamless selling solution by partnering with Windsor Jewelers, Inc.
Supplier BulletinMay 26, 2022
Extraordinary Italian Jewelry at JCK and COUTURESponsored by Italian Trade Agency
Weekly QuizMay 26, 2022
This Week’s QuizTest your knowledge of the latest jewelry news with this quick test.
SourcingMay 26, 2022
Q&A: Deciphering De Beers’ Blockchain PlatformDavid Prager virtually sat down with Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff to answer questions about the rollout of Tracr at scale.
FinancialsMay 26, 2022
Movado Posts Record Q1 Sales Despite ‘Challenging’ US MarketThe company opted not to raise its fiscal guidance, citing a slowdown in the U.S. market as a key reason.
Brought to you by
Dive into GIA’s Pearl ExpertiseWhen it comes to knowing the identity and quality of your pearls, count on GIA as your independent pearl experts.
TechnologyMay 26, 2022
State of Retail: The Pros and Cons of 4 Jewelry-Selling PlatformsFrom “old-school” eBay to new kid on the block 1stDibs, we asked jewelers about their experiences selling jewelry in non-traditional places.
Policies & IssuesMay 26, 2022
Barbara Wheat Named Executive Director of Ethical Metalsmiths She has nearly 30 years’ experience in the gem and jewelry industry and a background in nonprofit management.
EditorsMay 25, 2022
7 Standout Tiaras in Sotheby’s Platinum Jubilee ExhibitionSenior Editor Brecken Branstrator chooses the pieces she’d most want to see in person.
MajorsMay 25, 2022
Anne Hathaway Is Bulgari’s Newest AmbassadorThe actress joins Zendaya and others in a new advertising campaign.
IndependentsMay 25, 2022
The Mexican Shack to Close After 47 YearsOwner Steve Delzio shares his thoughts on retirement after nearly five decades in the jewelry industry.
IndependentsMay 25, 2022
Designer Theo Fennell Has Written a Memoir “I Fear for This Boy” takes readers through the ups and downs of his business and is available for pre-order now.
IndependentsMay 25, 2022
MVEye, Wedding Report Partner on New Jewelry Research Platform“Today’s Wedding Jewelry Consumer” shares data about engagement ring market size, lab-grown and natural diamonds, and more.
ColumnistsMay 24, 2022
The PR Adviser: 10 Questions to Contemplate Columnist Lilian Raji wants to walk you through the customer journey. But first, she’d like you to answer a few questions.
Events & AwardsMay 24, 2022
8 Gold Jewelry Designers Unveil New Platinum DesignsSeveral Couture brands have partnered with Platinum Guild International ahead of the jewelry trade show.
Lab-GrownMay 24, 2022
Kendra Scott Unveils Lab-Grown Engagement Ring CollectionThe jewelry company is moving into bridal just a month after branching out into the watch world.
SourcingMay 24, 2022
State of the Diamond Industry: Where Does Supply Go From Here?The 2008 economic crisis, COVID-19, and sanctions on Russian goods have set the stage for an interesting decade for natural diamond supply.
Events & AwardsMay 24, 2022
WJA to Host Diversity Keynote at New Las Vegas Breakfast Event The Generating Community Impact fundraiser on June 11 will feature Karine Bah Tahé of Blue Level Training.
WatchesMay 23, 2022
Steven Kaiser, Watch Industry Veteran and Beloved Mentor, Dies at 68 Kaiser, whose illustrious career spanned decades, died suddenly on Friday.
IndependentsMay 23, 2022
Long’s Jewelers to Open New LocationThe family-owned jeweler is relocating its Braintree, Massachusetts, store to a new space.
IndependentsMay 23, 2022
Luxury Goods Veteran Olivier Stip Joins Chicago Jeweler CD Peacock He will step into the retailer’s newly created role of chief development officer.
GradingMay 23, 2022
Gem-A Launches Digital Entry-Level Gemology CourseGemIntro is meant to give a broad introduction to gems and gemology.
Recorded WebinarsMay 20, 2022
Watch: Responsible Sourcing and the Gold Supply Chain Three industry experts discuss “recycled” gold vs. mined, their challenges and benefits, and how jewelers can navigate the area.
FinancialsMay 20, 2022
Richemont’s 2022 Jewelry Sales in the Americas Nearly DoubleCartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Buccellati put on stellar performances.
SurveysMay 19, 2022
5 Predictions for Jewelry Retail in the Second Half of 2022From a slowdown in sales growth to rising costs, Fruchtman Marketing outlines its expectations for the second half of the year.
