Dennis Hopper Paraphernalia Auction, Hollywood. Brad Simpson, no relation to Bart, is a rich but not famous collector of Hollywood related regalia. With the sad passing of actor Dennis Hopper, Simpson is ready to part with everything that reminds him of the actor. A special auction has been scheduled for Mr. Simpson and his Hopper collection on Friday June 3.
Known for previous highly visible Hollywood auctions (Slim Pickens and Captain Kangaroo) Simpson is hardly a sentimental collector, but rather a keen-eyed collector of stars' worn out and thrown out stuff. Values will be had at the auction along with some white elephants, and a dose of surprise entertainment - Elton John came to the Kangaroo event.
The famed Harley Chopper, from the Movie Easy Rider, is the featured auction item. Dennis Hopper rode the Easy Rider bike for years after the movie was shot. And now Brad Simpson has had it been restored to original condition and it even contains special hiding apparatus in the gas tank. Rumors have circulated that Peter Fonda will bid on the bike.
An abundance of other auction items of value for the Hollywood buffs will keep the auction going for hours. The leather jacket with tassels from Easy Rider will demand a high price, as will Hopper's drawing tablet with autographs by James Dean, Rock Hudson, Elizabeth Taylor, Paul Newman, and Federico Fellini. Other items of interest include; Hopper's costumes from Apocalypse Now and Waterworld, and a collection of photos by Hopper from Blue Velvet scenes.
The quantity of things that Dennis Hopper threw out, and Simpson retrieved is phenomenal. Simpson must have camped out near the Hopper garbage can. Some items are truly trash like Dennis Hopper cigarette butt from the filming of Blue Velvet, a flat basketball from Hoosiers, and a paint chip from the ship in Waterworld.
The entire Dennis Hopper list is available from Christy's.
