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December 3, 2013

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Bruce Lee auction packs powerful punch

Bruce Lee fans who covet the original yellow jumpsuit that the martial arts legend wore in a film will get a chance to bid for it at a Hong Kong auction this week.

It’s part of a collection of 14 items including clothing and props going on the block on Thursday.

Lee wore the yellow suit, with black stripes down the sides, in “Game of Death.” Lee died in 1973, before the movie was finished. An incomplete version was released that year, followed by a feature-length version in 1978 cobbled together with footage filmed after his death.

Lee’s untimely death at the age of 32 from an allergic reaction to painkillers came at the height of his fame. The actor’s legendary kung fu skills and screen presence helped him become a global superstar and popularized martial arts films across the world. Director Quentin Tarantino paid homage to Lee’s jumpsuit by dressing Uma Thurman in one for his “Kill Bill” movies.

Spink auction house estimates the suit will fetch HK$250,000 (US$32,250) to HK$300,000.

The auction house said Lee gave the items to his friend and former student Taky Kimura, who sold them to the collector.

Spink said the unidentified collector decided to sell the items this year, which marks the 40th anniversary of Lee’s death.

Other props from “Game of Death” to be sold include a pair of yellow lacquered wooden nunchaku expected to fetch US$26,000 to US$38,700 and a bamboo whip with an estimate of US$9,000 to US$10,000.

The auction house’s vice-chairman, Anna Lee, said buyers will get a certificate of authenticity from Kimura.

Bruce Lee was born in San Francisco but grew up in Hong Kong until his late teens. He is known for the films “Fist of Fury,” “Way of the Dragon,” and “Enter the Dragon.”

 


 

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