"Sam’s iconic piano from Casablanca for sale" Topic

"You must remember this." When Dooley Wilson sang those four words back in 1942, the salmon-colored piano at which he was sitting was suddenly transformed into a cherished movie treasure. That iconic piano is now one of more than 30 items from Warner Bros.' romantic wartime drama Casablanca slated to be auctioned this fall by Turner Classic Movies (TCM) and international fine art auctioneers, Bonhams. TCM Presents: There's No Place Like Hollywood, a definitive auction of rare movie collectibles, will also feature the interior and exterior doors from Rick's Café Américain, the nightclub where much of the action in Casablanca takes place. The auction will be held at Bonhams in New York on Monday, Nov. 24, along with preview exhibitions in New York (Nov. 20-24) and at their Los Angeles location (Nov. 6-9).

The Casablanca collection was consigned for the auction by a private collector. The piano at the center of the collection was featured during a performance of Max Steiner's music from film at the Hollywood Bowl in 2006, a testament to the instrument's cherished status. Other Casablanca items featured in TCM and Bonhams' auction will be passports, transit papers and other documents created for the film; a final draft screenplay; photos signed by cast members; production memos; an original Casablanca pressbook; and more…"

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Amicalement
Armand

If it comes with the hidden two letters of transit that cannot be questioned or denied, then I might just buy it!

I always fancied the French kepi worn by Claude Raines as Captain Renault.

Of course as the letters of transit were signed by General Degaulle they were more likely to get you shot than on a plane. Warner Brothers didn't think Americans would know who any of the Vichy Leaders were.

Fatman

I understand there was no such thing as a "letter of transit" anyway.

No letters of transit were simply passes which could be shown at check points etc, they would simply say thing like "Miss Demonica Wiplash is traveling after curfew on special morale boosting duties for the divisional commander please let her pass." and be signed by a relevant senior officer. They were called many things and very few, if any, "Could not be questioned or denied.". My favorite one from fiction is the one given to Oberst Radl in The Eagle Has Landed by Jack Higgins,

"FROM THE LEADER AND HEAD OF THE STATE -- MOST SECRET
Colonel Radl is acting under my direct and personal orders in a matter of the greatest importance to the state. He is responsible only to me. All persons, military and civil, of whatever rank, will assist him in any way he sees fit."

Now that is a letter of transit! ;-P

Fatman

I always wanted a letter of marque and reprisal…

Only if it comes with Sam to play as Time Goes By.