Mae West: In Virginia

Wouldn't you love to own a lavender feathered headdress that once adorned the head of Mae West? Robert Weisfeld yearned to — — and did.
• • A movie-maven since he was in elementary school, Robert Weisfeld always dreamed about collecting things that were once used, worn, or signed by the famous. Among his first teenage purchases was a hand-tinted poster of 1920s siren Jean Harlow. A black bonnet worn by Lillian Gish in the 1915 silent film “Birth of a Nation” is the oldest item in his possession.
• • The 53-year-old native of Abingdon, Virginia estimated that he has now amassed well over 500 bits of glitterati including Mae West's ornamental plumage, a “Kelly’s Heroes” military helmet autographed by Clint Eastwood, and a top hat of Fred Astaire’s. Footwear attracted his eye, too. He owns Betty Grable’s silver heels, three pairs of Jean Harlow’s size-3 shoes, and Bette Davis’ baby shoes.
• • For years, these keepsakes were in storage until his 80-year-old mother Martha had a brainstorm: put them on display.
• • Opened on 26 July 2007, Star Museum covers the 20-by-88-foot first floor of an 1865 building in downtown Abingdon, Virginia. Robert Weisfeld is planning for a seasonal rotation of his memorabilia, elements built around his appreciation of pop culture, Hollywood, and music.
• • Robert Weisfeld developed his collection as an adult living in Manhattan for almost 17 years. He scoured second-hand emporiums, thrift shops, antique stores, flea markets, and he attended the estate auctions of Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, and Rock Hudson. Eleven years ago, he returned to his Southern roots when he came home to be editor of the Virginian.
• • His collection has been insured for about $160,000. Not counting boxes of letters, newspapers, copies of Life Magazine, and photos, Weisfeld estimates he owns close to 1,000 unique bits that were once in the hands of a notable individual, for instance, actress Rosalind Russell’s $10.64 check for a 1947 electric bill and Richard Burton’s Roman shield from “Cleopatra.”
• • One showcase is arranged as if Marilyn Monroe had dropped her faux-leopard purse. Her wallet, sunglasses and paste chandelier earrings have slipped out, as well as a Las Vegas hotel swizzle stick, a pair of Frank Sinatra’s cuff links, and John F. Kennedy's White House matchbook.
• • The museum also genuflects to several musical and pop-culture personalities. Visitors will see clothing worn by Elvis Presley, Loretta Lynn's concert gown, and a 1949 Life Magazine cover signed by slugger Joe DiMaggio. But the museum’s focus — — from the photos on its walls to the evening gloves on view — — is the Hollywood studio heyday of the 1920s to the 1950s.
• • Come up and see Mae West in Abingdon, Virginia — — along with Jean Harlow, Marilyn Monroe, Rita Hayworth, Fred Astaire, Janis Joplin, Loretta Lynn, and Elvis.
• • Collect even more Mae West memories on Friday evening 17 August 2007, when a guided tour will explore Manhattan's WEST-side during the "Mae West Side Story" walking tour. The event — — open to the public — — is timed to salute Brooklyn's own sexpot on her birthdate. [See the Annual Mae West Gala posting below.]
• • Only 11 more days until Mae's birthday!
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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Mae West
• • Photo: • • Mae West • • 1934 • •
NYC
Mae West.