Charles Triplett's Judy Garland Collection
Cliff Aliperti | July 8th, 2009 | Displaying Your Collection, Featured, Movie Collectibles | 16 Comments »
Charels Triplett
Charles Triplett was 6 when he first saw The Wizard of Oz and decided he had to find out everything he could about Judy Garland. Over 40 years later he’s still collecting Judy Garland items, though after seeing the photos Charles shares with us here I almost have to wonder what’s left!
The more I think about that, the more I am actually honored to have been able to add an item to Charles’ collection. I came into contact with Charles after he was winning bidder on the 1936 R95 linen-textured photo of Judy Garland that I made for sale recently. When I e-mailed Charles thanking him for his prompt payment I made sure to include the little note that I’ve been sending to buyers recently:
I’m looking to put together a post sometime in the near future about how collectors are storing and/or displaying their collections. If you’d care to share, please feel free to reply with any info.
This is the 1936 R95 Judy Garland premium that Charles purchased from me and which led to our communication. The result is this post.
And the response was another winner, it’s Charles Triplett’s Judy Garland Collection! Charles first sent along some fantastic photos of Judy Garland gowns, though I quickly noticed several magazines and ephemeral items surrounding them in his display. So my first question was what exactly did he collect? Just Judy? Anything Judy?
Charles replied, “I do collect almost everything Judy, photos, posters, books, magazines, costumes, personal items, scripts, autographs, etc.”
Movie Posters - Listen Darling, Meet Me in St. Louis, and Babes on Broadway, with other items in the background
The images Charles sent along showed off such a detailed collection of Judy Garland items that beyond their display I wanted to know, why Judy? Charles explained:
“Judy Garland touched me deeply as a child when I first saw “The Wizard of Oz” in 1966… I just wanted to know everything about her. No other performer has ever touched me in this way and I still get a thrill watching her videos and enjoying her music.”
Beyond the collection, Charles has actually come to know Judy Garland’s children, Lorna Luft and Liza Minnelli, whom he has known for more than 25 years now. Of Liza, Charles says, “She knows of my interest in her mother and has always been very kind to me.”
Charles Triplett with Liza Minnelli in 1998
As I’m primarily a dealer in ephemera, or what I consider movie collectibles, I’ve always been intrigued (and a little envious!) when I see collections composed of movie memorabilia, items actually from the films and the stars themselves. Such items can be very expensive, so the first question which shot to my budget conscious mind about the actual collection was how do you know it’s real? When you buy a Judy Garland costume what do you look for to feel safe in making your purchase?
Charles replies, “I only buy costumes that I know are hers. For instance all of the MGM costumes were sold in 1970 at the MGM auction. MGM put tags in most of their star wardrobe with name and production number, etc. Personal items you have to really know what you are doing. I have never seen any personal items that are authentic on eBay. Again, you have to really know what you are doing when collecting these types of items.”
A 1970 David Weisz Co. Auction Catalog for Wardrobe Items from MGM. I sold this catalog earlier this year.
So this is not the type of collection that you jump into feet first with open wallet. You’re going to want to take your time, study your favorite star, learn their movies inside and out and perhaps start with a smaller type of collectible. You’re going to want to find a dealer you can know and trust, and quite often the best movie props and wardrobe items are going to appear at the major auction houses which do their due diligence in tracking down and providing provenance.
Finally, our original question. How do you display these items? More importantly, how do you store them? My guess is that it goes beyond just boxing them up with some mothballs.
“I store everything in acid free textile boxes with acid free tissue paper. I did send a photo of the zebra gown in it’s acid free storage. I only put them on dress forms for a very short time. They should not be displayed for a long period of time on a form as the weight will pull on the gown. For instance, the zebra gown weighs between ten to twelve pounds. And, by the way, Judy was only a size 2 so her garments are actually tiny.”
A zebra gown Judy wore on The Judy Garland Show in the early 1960's in acid free storage. More photos of this gown are shown below.
Thanks so much, Charles, I really appreciate you sharing information, and especially photos, about your collection. As I’m sure Charles already knows TCM is airing Judy Garland movies all day today (Wednesday, July 8th), leading into the 6 pm EST airing of the special “Judy Garland: By Myself,” a two hour interview and clip show about Judy from 2004. More on TCM’s Judy Garland schedule in my Examiner.com column for Wednesday the 8th (including more photos!).
The Judy Garland zebra gown from the storage shot above is shown here on display on a dress form. Lots of other Judy Garland collectibles in the background.
A photo of Judy Garland wearing the zebra gown that is now part of Charles' collection.
The dress Judy Garland wore when she sang the Battle Hymn of the Republic on The Judy Garland Show, December 13, 1963.
Charles had sent along a still photo of Judy Garland’s “Battle Hymn” performance, but nyboxers73 has actually posted the clip on YouTube:
Charles also owns this costume Judy wore on the cover of the August 1941 issue of Cinelandia Magazine.
A better look at the August 1941 issue of Cinelandia.
More Judy paper
Judy Garland's shoes on display.
Final word from Charles Triplett, once again with my thanks for his participation:
I do like a lot of the Golden Era of Hollywood, but no one ever touched my heart and soul the way Garland did.
Another shot of Charles Triplett with Liza Minnelli, this one from 1987 and signed.
I loved seeing all of Judy Garland’s belongings. The dresses are in wonderful shape and look as wonderful as they did when she wear them.
Thanks, Kasey, I appreciate your taking the time to leave a comment, as I’m sure Charles does as well.
Yes, I really amazed by all of the impressive things I get to see just by asking collectors and customers what they have. This was another one where I stepped back and said, “Wow!”
Thanks, Cliff
Hello! I’m a friend of Charles Triplett and I just had to say that he is one of the nicest people I have ever known. He’s so giving of himself and loves to share his Judy collection. I think he has the best Judy Garland collection ever.
Hi Tom,
Thanks for stopping by the site, hope I did a good job showing off your pal’s collection.
I have to agree, Charles has been wonderful to work with and we’re even talking about doing a few other posts together (which I really hope we do!).
I can’t disagree, it’s the best I’ve seen!
Thanks, Cliff
Charles is my beloved cousin and he is just as nice in real life as he has been for you to work with. Judy Garland has never had as great a fan as she had in Charles. Since he was a child, he has been so taken by this actress. He has the most interesting collections. The care he takes of these treasures shows his love for the actress. I so enjoyed the article.
Thank you,
Pam
Yet another great article and collection! I didn’t know much about Judy, but Liza was in a very endearing movie called “The Sterile Cuckoo” that I remember from way back.
I’m proud of Charles and to learn more about his collection on our beloved Judy. I have a meager collectrion, only my memories of Judy and 1958-1967, but this is great, Charles. Wayne
I think this is a great collection. I have seen the gowns on display in person and they are remarkable. Charles takes great care of them and all the other items in the collection.
Charles:
Nice JG collection! Seeking myself photos of the Hollywood Roman movie standards that were
on display back in 1970’s at the LA area Buena Park “Cars of Stars/Plane of Fame”
Museum, any referrals most appreciated.
BKW
Its so coll how you not only have Judy’s dresses, but you have a Judy room! I wish I could I could hang more of the stuff I liked up on my wall…. 16 year old here still going through the High school years haha. If you get my point…
John – Glad you enjoyed the photos. Yes – there is a Judy Room – took me many years to have that. Anyway, thank you for your comment. Good luck in School. Charles
Hey Charles
So nice to see your amazing piece so well displayed and cared for. Great that you have them here online for all to enjoy as well. Keep doing what you do in preserving and displaying these treasures.
As a collector, I understand what it means to have these treasures and to protect them for the future. I am very grateful of the Garland costumes I am proud to own as I am sure you are.
Great to see Charles. And thank you Cliff
My Best
Nick
I am in possession of a Judy Garland photograph which you may be interested in for your collection. The picture is a black and white 5 x 7 in excellent condition. It was made during WW II. The photograph is of Ms. Garland sitting on the back of a jeep. My mother in law was the military escort. I am in a very desperate money situation and am therefore trying to liquidate my collectibles. I also have a similar picture of Jimmy Cagney autographing the sleeves of the women’s military uniforms. I have been told that neither of these photographs have ever been published.
Please let me know if you would like for me to scan and email a copy to you. I do not have the negatives but understand that they were made with my mother in law’s camera. Thank you for any interest you may have. Linda Selby
If you would like to send a scan to me I would be happy to look at it : CharlesWTriplett@cs.com
Thank you for your interest.
Charles,
Just cannot belive you also have the Battle Hymm Dress.
Who would have known it was red-just gives me the chills because I think that was one of Judy’s greatest performances dedicated to JFK and helped the county’s mourning.
“Here’s to you Charles”
Dear Sheree -
Thank you for your nice post. I agree with you about Judy’s performance of BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC. Thank you again for writing.
Charles