Guillermo Del Toro to Auction Off Horror Memorabilia He Nearly Lost to LA Wildfires
Famed director Guillermo Del Toro will auction off part of his coveted horror memorabilia collection that was almost destroyed by the devastating Los Angeles wildfires earlier this year. The collection, which is housed in Del Toro’s “Bleak House,” a sprawling complex of two and a half Santa Monica homes, features thousands of ghoulish creatures, iconic comic art, books, and movie props.
Del Toro, 60, teamed up with Heritage Auctions for the three-part sale that kicks off Sept. 26 online. The first part of the auction will include hundreds of items, with more set to hit the auction block next year. Each round will be structured to uncover who Del Toro is first as a collector and, later, how he thinks as a filmmaker.
A Love Letter to the Collector Community
The entire endeavor is a love letter to the collector community and a means to encourage others to “learn to read and write film design in a different way.” Del Toro asserted that he wants to share his passion for collecting with others and inspire a new generation of collectors and filmmakers. The “Bleak House” is a testament to Del Toro’s dedication to preserving “pieces of audiovisual history for humanity.”
Del Toro is the caretaker of the “Bleak House,” which holds the sprawling collection. The multipurpose houses are complete amalgams of museums, libraries, and workspaces all wrapped into one, where most of Del Toro’s massive collection is stored.
A Near-Disaster Sparks a New Chapter
The “Bleak House” was almost destroyed by the Los Angeles wildfires in January. Del Toro had mere hours to empty out thousands of pieces of memorabilia, but he only managed to secure 150. The residences were miraculously left untouched by the raging infernos. This near-disaster shocked Del Toro to attention, and he realized how easily the comprehensive collection could be lost if it remained in his possession alone.
That near-disaster, though, sparked a new chapter in Del Toro’s life as a collector. He began to think about the importance of preserving his collection for future generations and ensuring that it would be protected from any potential threats. Del Toro isn’t burdened by the responsibility, though. “As collectors, you are basically keeping pieces of culture for generations to come. They’re not yours,” he mused.
A New Chapter for the “Bleak House”
Del Toro isn’t burdened by the responsibility of caring for the “Bleak House” and its contents. He currently spends most of his days at the “Bleak House,” ensuring that the impressive collection isn’t being hit by direct sunlight and that the temperature is still stable in the homes. Unloading some of the works will make it easier for him to care for the houses and the rest of the collection.
The first part of the auction starts on Sept. 26. For more information, please visit the Heritage Auctions website. To read the full article, click Here
Image Source: nypost.com
