Judy Garland News

Collectors took advantage of a rare opportunity Saturday when singer and actress Barbra Streisand put hundreds of items from her films and personal life on auction to benefit several charities.

The collection includes everything from gowns Streisand designed and wore in movies and concert appearances to her prescription eyeglasses and customized 1986 Ford mobile home van.

"I'm just here to get as many beautiful things as I can get," said Kathryn Philpott-Hill, a dentist who traveled from North Carolina to attend the auction.

Helping Streisand's charity was also important, Philpott-Hill said. "It's her politics I'm supporting here."

She purchased several items, including a rhinestone-covered gold silk and chiffon gown that Streisand wore to the film premiere of "Funny Girl" for $5,250.

Philpott-Hill offered $23,000 on a satin shirt Streisand wore on "The Judy Garland Show" in 1963, but was outbid by an Internet buyer.

Gary Bliss was successful at purchasing a black wool gown that Streisand wore in a television special in 1966, for the cost of $2,400.

"I also got the Grammy award dress for 'A Star is Born,' which is a great dress because Barbra designed it," said Bliss, who traveled from Arizona for the auction.

Many of the items went for far less. A vintage compact — with a broken mirror — fetched $600, and one hairpiece she wore in a television special was auctioned for $220.

Together, the 421 items to be auctioned are worth an estimated $600,000, said Darren Julien of Julien Entertainment, which organized the event.

The proceeds will go to the Streisand Foundation, which helps promote civil liberties, democratic values, women's issues, AIDS research and other causes.

"As much as I love collecting, I have an even deeper commitment to the support of good causes I've been able to provide through the Streisand Foundation, the beneficiary of this event," Streisand wrote in a letter to participants.

About 100 people attended the auction at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood. Also, bidders were able to participate online at www.JulienEntertainment.com.