LOS ANGELES, CA.- The finest collection ever of Bruce Lee memorabilia is going up for auction in Los Angeles on Tuesday, October 29th. From the estate of Bruce Lee's best friend & student, world renowned martial arts expert Herb Jackson, comes this collection of never before seen items worn & used by Bruce Lee.
The highlight of the Bruce Lee memorabilia auction is the suede suit worn onscreen by Lee from ''The Lost Interview''. Lee was dressed in this ensemble when he uttered his enduring quote, ''Be water, my friend''. During the interview, Lee passionately advised, ''Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless, like water. Now, you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup, you put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle, you put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow or it can crash! Be water, my friend''. Said Nate D. Sanders, auctioneer, "This philosophy -- so eloquently summed up in the quote 'Be water, my friend' -- underlaid Lee's entire approach to martial arts. He's considered so legendary, not only because he popularized martial arts, but also -- and maybe the two are connected -- because he melded all the great martial arts schools together into a practical, quick and efficient style of fighting. He wasn't married to one particular approach." The suit is expected to bring upwards of $100,000.
The full Lost Interview can be viewed
here.
The best Bruce Lee memorabilia from his few films is his striking shield used onscreen by Lee in ''Return of the Dragon'', filmed during the last year of his life in 1972. The estimate is upwards of $25,000, although the market will set the price as very few of his martial arts equipment have ever been sold. Lee asked his friend Herb Jackson to build many of these customized training pieces.
Bruce Lee's Striking Shield. This striking shield can be seen in the film at the
2:05 mark.
Bruce Lee's owned and used heavy bag has also been consigned. This heavy bag has been photographed in two Bruce Lee books, and may sell for upwards of $50,000.
Overall, 26 historical and outstanding Bruce Lee memorabilia items have been consigned.