Olivia de Havilland's Typewriter at Auction

An Olivetti Lettera 35 portable manual typewriter used by Hollywood star Olivia de Havilland while she lived in Paris to write with fans and friends is on sale at Bonhams as part of its The Collection of Olivia de Havilland auction ending May 23. It comes with a letter signed by the actor discussing her plans to continue writing her autobiography

As well as the typewriter (estimate $800 - $1,200), highlights of the sale include:

* A color illustrated program for the 1961 Atlanta Centennial Costume Ball and Centennial Premiere of Gone with the Wind signed to de Havilland on the cover by Vivien Leigh, David O. Selznick, and Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. and inscribed "To Olivia, Thank you for coming"

* Eleven hand-colored Christian Dior costume designs for de Havilland for the 1963 Academy Awards. On vellum, including a sketch titled Agnes which became her chosen gown for the evening and was worn to present the Academy Award to Sam Spiegel for Lawrence of Arabia. The remaining sketches for evening gowns come with swatches and handwritten description and price, plus a handwritten letter in French on Christian Dior headed stationery dated March 22, 1963, discussing design options.

* Two 1943 war ration books, one in the name of Olivia de Havilland (No. 859974), the other belonging to director John Huston (No. 668707) signed lower right. De Havilland and John Huston were engaged in a romance at this time.

* A de Havilland check made out to Errol Flynn and signed by both. Drawn on the Bank of America, Hollywood-Highland branch, handwritten to Mr. Errol Flynn in the amount of 30 dollars, dated December 24, 1937, and signed, redeemed by Flynn on the verso, Mr. Errol Flynn.

A portion of the proceeds from this sale will be donated to the American Cathedral in Paris of which de Havilland was a longstanding patron.