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Legendary SFX makeup artist Dick Smith's personal makeup kit. Over the course of his five-decade-plus career, Smith received two Academy Awards®, including an Honorary Academy Award® for "his unparalleled mastery of texture, shade, form and illusion" in makeup artistry; the only such award to be given for an entire body of makeup work, rather than a specific project. He also received four Emmy Award® nominations, winning one for the CBS special Mark Twain Tonight! Additionally, Smith received a Lifetime Achievement Award® from the Makeup & Hair Stylists Guild for his contributions to the art of makeup.
This kit, Smith's primary, personal working makeup kit for the majority of (if not all) his projects across more than 50 years of cinema, originates from his collection. It consists of a hard metal and plastic carrying case with a metal latch closure affixed with a placard engraved "Dick Smith" along with Smith's Larchmont, NY address. The case appeared in documentaries about Smith's work form the 1970s. It contains four levels filled with Smith's personal collection of original makeup and cosmetic products, ranging from tools such as eyeliner pencils, combs, sponges, scissors, and paint brushes to lip moisturizers, eye shadow, mascara, and various shades of blush.
Many of the materials in the case are hand-marked for their designated uses by Smith, with labels such as "Pax Itawi 1/2 EXORCIST," "LIVER SPOT," and "LIP TINT." The kit shows evidence of wear throughout, including some of the contents partially used or, in the cases of its bottles and tubes, nearly emptied. Dimensions: (case) 13" x 13" x 8" (33 cm x 33 cm x 20.5 cm)
The cosmetics and makeup in this lot are not safe for consumption.
Estimate: $6,000 - 12,000
View all lots from DICK SMITH
View all lots from Dick Smith Collection
Regarded as "The Godfather of Makeup," renowned special makeup effects artist and author Richard Emerson Smith, known professionally as Dick Smith, was a pre-med student at Yale University when he encountered the theatrical makeup book Paint, Powder and Makeup that changed the trajectory of his life. After serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, Smith began his illustrious career in television as the first makeup director of WNBC. Entirely self-taught, Smith pioneered the development of prosthetic and practical makeup with techniques that are now considered the standard in film and television, such as making prosthetics in multiple pieces to allow actors full range of facial expression. He is also credited with creating realistic age makeup as an alternative to prosthetics, blending special effects with hidden bladders and squibs, and for innovating the combination of makeup with on-set "practical" effects, as seen in William Friedkin's The Exorcist (1973).
In a time where makeup artists were secretive about their techniques and unions purposely suppressed the sharing of knowledge, Smith proved to be a generous soul, mentoring and training many younger artists who went on to accomplished careers in cinema, including Rick Baker, Mike Marino, Greg Cannom, and many more. Smith went as far as publishing an instructional book in 1965 titled Dick Smith's Do-It-Yourself Monster Make-up Handbook as a special edition of Forrest J. Ackerman's "Famous Monsters of Filmland" series.
With a career that spanned over six decades, Smith is today best known for his work on such classics as Little Big Man (1970), The Godfather (1972), Taxi Driver (1976), Altered States (1980), Scanners (1981), The Hunger (1983), Starman (1984), and Death Becomes Her (1992). In 1985, he won an Academy Award® for Best Makeup for his work on Amadeus, as well as a BAFTA® the following year. He was honored by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences twice with special tribute ceremonies in 2009 and again in 2011, the latter including an Honorary Academy Award® presented by his most acclaimed protégé, Rick Baker. Smith left an indelible legacy in film and television, represented by a curated collection he carefully maintained throughout his career. Propstore is pleased to present these select artifacts from this legendary artist's personal collection, reflecting a distinguished career spanning decades in Hollywood and beyond.
This item comes with a Propstore Certificate of Authenticity.