MajorsMay 20, 2025
Annie Doresca to Lead DCA as New CEO, PresidentCurrent Diamond Council of America President and CEO Terry Chandler is set to retire in January 2026.
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
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
FinancialsMay 20, 2025
QVC Group to Voluntarily Delist from NasdaqThe company's Series A shares will continue to trade following a reverse stock split while its Series B shares will be delisted.
ColumnistsMay 20, 2025
Peter Smith: Leading Through ChangeCommunicating clearly with your staff is key to navigating turbulent times, writes columnist Peter Smith.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
IndependentsMay 20, 2025
Luis Morais Opens Flagship, Launches Collection Celebrating 25 YearsThe “Inner Journey” collection debuted as the brand celebrated its 25th anniversary, with designs inspired by Morais’ journey.
Weekly QuizMay 15, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsMay 20, 2025
Tanishq Opens Seventh U.S. StoreTanishq is expanding its presence in the United States with a new store in Santa Clara, California, which is its largest in the country.
FinancialsMay 19, 2025
Jewelry Sales a Standout for Richemont in 2024Sales for Richemont’s four jewelry brands increased 8 percent, while watch sales picked up toward the end of the year.
Brought to you by
Watch: The Winston Red: GIA Examines the Smithsonian’s Newest AdditionSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
Events & AwardsMay 19, 2025
NAJA Opens Scholarship Applications for 2025Two scholarships are available, one for new and non-members and another for NAJA certified members.
IndependentsMay 19, 2025
Day’s Jewelers to Open Ninth LocationThe retailer’s new flagship is set to open in October at the Tuscan Village development in Salem, New Hampshire.
SourcingMay 19, 2025
State of Colored Stones: The Big Three in the Modern WorldSapphires, emeralds, and rubies are finding their place in a U.S. market captivated by the gemstones once referred to as “semi-precious.”
MajorsMay 16, 2025
Saks Fifth Avenue, Amazon Partner on Luxury Online StorefrontPlus, parent company Saks Global announces plans to cut ties with up to 600 vendors.
Recorded WebinarsMay 16, 2025
Watch: Physical Retail Is Not DeadPeter Smith joined Michelle Graff to chat about the state of brick-and-mortar stores and share a few book and podcast recommendations.
CollectionsMay 16, 2025
Piece of the Week: Tejen’s ‘Candy Bowl’ Torque NecklaceThe necklace features a candy-colored Australian white opal in 18-karat Fairmined gold, as the brand was named a Fairmined ambassador.
Supplier BulletinMay 15, 2025
Treasure Hunting at the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch ShowSponsored by the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch Show
CollectionsMay 15, 2025
Jessica McCormack’s ‘Fruit Salad’ Collection Is Fresh for SummerThe designer has taken the appeal of freshly picked fruit and channeled it into a capsule collection of earrings, necklaces, and pendants.
SourcingMay 15, 2025
Tariffs Take Toll on India’s Gem and Jewelry Industry in April The country’s gem and jewelry exports fell 5 percent year-over-year last month, while imports declined 18 percent.
Policies & IssuesMay 15, 2025
State of Retail: How to Better Serve Customers With DisabilitiesAround 54 million Americans and counting live with a disability. Here’s how to make your jewelry store and website more accessible.
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2025
Poet Sekou Andrews to Give Closing Keynote at ConvergeThe event is also accepting poster submissions now through June 16.
Policies & IssuesMay 14, 2025
Here’s What Happened to Pope Francis’ RingBefore Pope Leo XIV was elected, a centuries-old procedure regarding the late pontiff’s ring was followed.
Lab-GrownMay 14, 2025
State of Diamonds: What’s Next for Lab-Grown Diamonds?While the product has entrenched itself in the market, retailers and consultants are assessing the next phase of the category’s development.
CrimeMay 14, 2025
Seattle Detectives Seek Public’s Help in Tiffany & Co. Robberies The police are trying to identify the man suspected of robbing two Tiffany & Co. locations in the area.
MajorsMay 14, 2025
Jeff Corey Elected Chair of JBT Board The well-known Maine jeweler takes over for Brian Fleming and will serve a one-year term.
Policies & IssuesMay 14, 2025
Foundrae Donates $11K to Ethical MetalsmithsThe donation was the result of the brand’s annual Earth Day Ingot event.
IndependentsMay 13, 2025
Eiseman Jewels’ Renovated Dallas Store Is Bigger and BetterLocated in NorthPark Center, the revamped store is nearly 2,000 square feet larger and includes the first Tudor boutique in Dallas.
MajorsMay 13, 2025
DCA Announces New Learning Platform, Course UpdatesThe nonprofit has made updates to the content in its beginner and advanced jewelry sales courses.
MajorsMay 13, 2025
BIJC Launches New Education FundBIJC President Malyia McNaughton will shift roles to lead the new foundation, and Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez will succeed her as president.
