John Gielgud's Tony Award for AGES OF MAN Sells for $15,000

Acclaimed actor John Gielgud's 1959 Tony Award for his "Distinguished Contribution to Theatre'' was auctioned last night for $15,000 at Nate D. Sanders Auctions.

Gielgud was awarded the Tony for his one-man show Ages of Man, featuring a collection of speeches from Shakespeare's plays. The show was an adaptation on Oxford professor George Rylands' 1939 anthology on the cycle of life. Gielgud attempted an avant-garde rendition of Ages of Man at a St. James square house. Inspired by the successful performance, the Shakespearean drama premiered to the public at Freemason's Hall at the 1957 Edinburgh Festival to critical acclaim and sold out crowds. Gielgud performed the work for the next ten years around the world.

Gielgud, a legendary British theater and film actor was descended from the famed Terry dynasty. He starred in over 300 stage productions, 60 films and 65 television shows and movies. He won three Tony awards in 1948, 1959, 1961, a 1979 Grammy for the Ages of Man and won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in the 1981 comedy Arthur. He won a 1991 Emmy for staring in the miniseries Summer Lease.

John Gielgud died on May 21, 2000.

The Tony medallion, made of sterling silver, features the masks of comedy and tragedy with the words ''Antoinette Perry AWARD'' on one side, and recipient information engraved upon the other, reading, ''THE American Theatre Wing PRESENTS TO John Gielgud / THIS AWARD FOR HIS DISTINGUISHED CONTRIBUTION TO THEATRE / 1958-59'.'

Additional information on the Tony can be found at
http://natedsanders.com/John_Gielgud_s_Tony_Award_for_the_Shakespearean___-LOT46411.aspx.

About Nate D. Sanders Auctions

An industry leader in documents and autographs, Nate D. Sanders Auctions has conducted auctions in Los Angeles since 1990 and now holds major auctions on a monthly basis. Owner Nate Sanders is recognized for his knowledge of sports, historical and Hollywood memorabilia. To learn more visit natedsanders.com.

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