IndependentsApr 01, 2025
Bergman Jewelers in Omaha Closing After 137 YearsThe independent jeweler first opened its doors in 1888.
AuctionsSep 29, 2017
Hepburn’s ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ Script Sold at Auction
We’ll give you one guess as to which well-known jeweler bought it.
Hollywood sweetheart Audrey Hepburn’s working script from the 1961 film “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” was bought by Tiffany & Co. at auction Wednesday.
London--Wearing a black dress and a pearl necklace, Holly Golightly strolls up to the windows of renowned retailer Tiffany & Co. on Fifth Avenue in the iconic opening of “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.”
Now, the jeweler has bought a part of that history.
On Wednesday, Christie’s London held a sale of The Personal Collection of Audrey Hepburn (Part I), where the actress’s own script from the movie sold to none other than Tiffany & Co., which is pictured and name-checked a few times throughout the film.
The screenplay, dated Aug. 3, 1960, sold for $846,619, seven times its highest pre-sale estimate of $120,900. Its sale set a new world auction record for a script, according to Christie’s.
One hundred and forty pages long, the script includes deleted scenes and annotations from Hepburn, including, for example, a note on page 114, in which the script directs her to say, “but I do love Jose,” but Hepburn suggested changing it to, “I am mad about Jose.”
Tiffany Chief Brand Officer Caroline Naggiar said: “Still today, visitors from around the world travel to our iconic Fifth Avenue flagship to create their own Audrey Hepburn moment in front of the famed Tiffany windows, before they enter our magical first floor. ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ is such a significant work in cinematic history, and we’re proud to have secured this important script for our expansive archives as a way to celebrate Tiffany’s popular culture legacy.”
A company spokesperson said it could not share any more information at this time about what it might do with the script beyond adding it to its archives.
It was the top lot of the sale, which lasted for 10 hours and attracted bidders from 46 countries across six continents, according to the auction house.
It totaled $6.2 million, more than seven times its pre-sale estimate, and was a white-glove sale, continuing a recent trend in the auction world of collections being 100 percent sold out, such as for Vivien Leigh and Andrew Grima.
Perhaps fittingly, the second highest-grossing lot in the sale was a Tiffany & Co. bangle from the late 1980s, which was a gift to Hepburn from director and producer Steven Spielberg (pictured above).
Engraved on the exterior with “Audrey” and on the interior
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
with “You are my ‘inspiration’ Always, Steven,” the piece went for about $445,219.
Hepburn’s 1969 painting “My Garden Flowers” was the third highest-grossing lot in the sale at $300,715, while another script of Hepburn’s also made it into the sale’s top lots. Her working script for the Warner Bros. production “My Fair Lady,” dated June 24, 1963, sold for $275,962, compared with a pre-sale estimate high of $67,195.
Rounding out the top five lots was a gelatin silver print by renowned photographer Cecil Beaton of Hepburn as Eliza Doolittle (her character in “My Fair Lady”). Shot in 1963, the image sold for $125,991.
Bidding for “Audrey Hepburn: The Personal Collection (Part II)” is open online until Oct. 4.
Hepburn’s 1969 painting “My Garden Flowers” was the third highest-grossing lot in the sale at $300,715, while another script of Hepburn’s also made it into the sale’s top lots. Her working script for the Warner Bros. production “My Fair Lady,” dated June 24, 1963, sold for $275,962, compared with a pre-sale estimate high of $67,195.
Rounding out the top five lots was a gelatin silver print by renowned photographer Cecil Beaton of Hepburn as Eliza Doolittle (her character in “My Fair Lady”). Shot in 1963, the image sold for $125,991.
Bidding for “Audrey Hepburn: The Personal Collection (Part II)” is open online until Oct. 4.
More on Auctions
The Latest
MajorsApr 01, 2025
QVC Group to Cut 900 Jobs in the U.S.The layoffs come amid the TV shopping channel’s efforts to restructure and focus on live shopping through social media.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
U.S. Antique Shows Adds Fall Show in FloridaThe debut event will take place in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood this fall.
Brought to you by
The Heart of the Industry: Giving Bench Jewelers the Recognition They DeserveBench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
TJS to Host Discussion on Jewelry Industry’s Labor ShortageThe roundtable will take place May 17 ahead of the trade show’s welcome dinner.
Weekly QuizMar 27, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsApr 01, 2025
Monica Rich Kosann Says ‘Good Grief’ in Peanuts Jewelry CollectionThe “Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann” collection features the comic strip’s classic vocabulary across 10 bracelet designs.
Recorded WebinarsMar 31, 2025
Watch: What Do We Mean When We Say ‘Recycled’ Gold?Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.
Brought to you by
Natural Diamonds Should Mean MoreNatural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.
TrendsMar 31, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Dripping in DiamondsDiamonds are not only one of the most prominent gemstones, but the birthstone for those born in April.
MajorsMar 31, 2025
Lashbrook Expands Into Luxury Golf Gifts With AcquisitionThe Utah-based company known for making wedding bands has acquired Doubloon Golf.
WatchesMar 31, 2025
Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin Will Also Head LVMH WatchesThe longtime luxury executive led one of LVMH’s watch brands, TAG Heuer, for 12 years before taking over Bulgari in 2013.
CrimeMar 28, 2025
2 Suspects Arrested in $1.7M Smash-and-Grab Robbery of NY Jewelry StoreAuthorities said the robbers fled with jewelry and 70 Rolex watches, later taking pictures of themselves posing with big stacks of cash.
SourcingMar 28, 2025
19th-Century Jade Book Now Available in EnglishLotus Gemology founder Richard W. Hughes has translated Heinrich Fischer’s 1880 book “Nephrit und Jadeit” from its original German.
CollectionsMar 28, 2025
Piece of the Week: Löf’s ‘The Valentine’ RingThe ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.
SurveysMar 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Falls in March Amid ‘Gloomy’ OutlookThe Conference Board’s index fell as consumers continued to worry about the impact of tariffs, the labor market, and the price of eggs.
WatchesMar 27, 2025
Austin Butler Joins Breitling as Brand AmbassadorThe Oscar-nominated actor debuted in the campaign for the new “Top Time B31” collection, which introduced Breitling’s Caliber B31.
SourcingMar 27, 2025
Susan Jacques, Gaetano Cavalieri to Headline 2025 ICA Congress The Congress is scheduled to take place May 19-22 in Brasilia, Brazil.
IndependentsMar 26, 2025
Bailey’s Fine Jewelry Acquires Fellow NC Independent JewelerThe family-owned retailer is the new owner of Morrison Smith Jewelers in Charlotte, North Carolina.
WatchesMar 26, 2025
Bulova Celebrates 150th Anniversary With Art Deco WatchesThe “150 Art Deco” collection features a Miss America timepiece and a pocket watch from the brand’s Archive Series.
MajorsMar 26, 2025
QVC Group Appoints New PresidentAlex Wellen, formerly CEO and president of MotorTrend Group, has taken on the role.
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2025
Jewelers of America Announces New Funding Initiative The Impact Initiative is part of the nonprofit association’s new three-year strategic plan.
CrimeMar 25, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Earrings Swallowed Following Grab-and-Run Theft RecoveredThe two pairs of earrings, snatched from a Tiffany & Co. store in Orlando, Florida, are valued at a combined $769,500.
ColumnistsMar 25, 2025
The Smart Lab: Using Short-Form Videos to Sell More JewelryThe time to start experimenting with video content is now, writes columnist Emmanuel Raheb.
CollectionsMar 24, 2025
Pomellato’s Latest ‘Nudo’ Collections Revamp its Classic DesignFrom striking high jewelry to miniature fine jewelry, the new chapter continues to highlight gemstones featuring its signature 57-facet cut.
MajorsMar 24, 2025
4 Top Executives to Depart Signet Jewelers Amid TurnaroundThe jewelry giant is reducing its senior leadership by 30 percent as part of its new turnaround strategy.
WatchesMar 24, 2025
Sotheby's Now Offers Watch Repair ServicesThe auction house's partnership with online watch servicing platform WatchCheck makes repairs convenient and accessible, it said.
FinancialsMar 21, 2025
Swarovski Says Its Lab-Grown Diamond Sales Doubled in 2024The company also noted record sales in the United States and a strong performance in its jewelry category.
