Mr Lee's original Dracula cape found in store

**Andrés Verdú** · 21st October 2007, 05:46 PM

Hello everyone,

Well, with all the recent discussion on the restored version of the film Dracula (1958), here is an interesting piece of news: it seems that the original cape worn by Mr Lee when he played Dracula in the 1958 film has been found in a London fancy dress store. According to the news source from the BBC, the cape is thought to be worth $50,000 (£24,410), and it also states that Mr Lee "was called upon to verify the cape was authentic". The article goes on to say that the long overcoat which was worn by Peter Cushing as Van Helsing has also been found and is currently being valued. The full article can be read here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7055342.stm. Anyway, it certainly is a curious discovery, especially with the fiftieth anniversary coming up as well. Take care everyone:

Warmest regards,

Andrés

Note: I realised after posting this that Helen has already written up the same news, so apologies to everyone for being repetitive.

**Matt Gemmell** · 21st October 2007, 07:48 PM

If only I had the spare cash for one or both items. Mind you, that's assuming they go up for sale.

**Joakim Lundberg** · 22nd October 2007, 12:08 AM

That cape is a piece of cinematic history. I hope it stays in a museum.

**Kaitlin Wright** · 23rd October 2007, 03:24 AM

You and me both Matt, I would love to own it too, but I just don't have a spare $48000. dollars right now otherwise I just might put in a bid. though It really should be in a film museum someplace

**Isabel Alves** · 24th October 2007, 12:07 AM

The money of my country has a smaller value still.... but Drácula's cape would be a relic to have home.

I also found this article.
http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf...0grave_1047432

Juan Aneiros · 24th October 2007, 02:31 AM

... and there I was thinking that the cape which Christina treasured for almost the whole of her life, was the real thing.

I am taking this news with a big pinch of salt.

**Andrés Verdú** · 24th October 2007, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Admin

... and there I was thinking that the cape which Christina treasured for almost the whole of her life, was the real thing.

I am taking this news with a big pinch of salt.

Well, I am also somewhat wary of such claims, especially given the BBC's recent history on accuracy regarding news reports (the one which made incorrect statements about Queen Elizabeth II and a photo shoot, for example). However, from what I have heard and read, there were different capes used throughout the various Hammer films (for instance, later "Dracula" films used a cape lined with red fabric). Whether the one that has been found is or is not the original cape is certainly not for me to say, but I would have thought that Mr Lee would have a good idea one way or the other. This is of course assuming that what the report says is correct and that Mr Lee did go to verify the claim. I know from past cases that not everything that appears in the press about Mr Lee is true, so, as I said at the start, I too am wary about this, but I would really like it to be true because the cape is part of cinematic history. It would be nice to think that it has survived the half-century from when it was used in the film. Take care everyone:

Warmest regards,

Andrés

**Kaitlin Wright** · 24th October 2007, 02:15 PM

I guess the most that can be said right now it that it may be ONE of the capes Mr Lee wore. Should still give it some value, and Hang on tight to the one you have Christina, it certainly is a treasure.

Juan Aneiros · 24th October 2007, 08:55 PM

I have just spoken to Mr. Lee regarding this cape and the information is a bit misleading. He was shown many capes and most of them could have not been the cape he used in the 1958 movie.

Finally, he was shown one cape which "looked like, it could have been" because it was the right color and the aproximate lenght. From saying that it looked like the one he used to saying it was the one, there is a big difference. He cannot posibly be able to tell, after all these years.

He did not endorse it as being the one he wore. That is for the experts to say, he is not an expert.

He hopes that no one goes and blames him, if they buy it and it is not the one.

**Joakim Lundberg** · 24th October 2007, 10:31 PM

This seems to be a very complex case.

**Helen Dyer** · 25th October 2007, 02:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Admin

He did not endorse it as being the one he wore. That is for the experts to say, he is not an expert.

He hopes that no one goes and blames him, if they buy it and it is not the one.

I agree with Joakim; this is complicated....But considering that Mr. Lee is NOT providing a 'COA', I would be horrified if a 'buyer' tried to blame Mr. Lee about the 'authenticity'...I sincerely hope the shop attempts to get the cape 'authenticated'.....

Ah well, we shall just have to watch and see what happens....

Cheers,;)
Helen

**Kaitlin Wright** · 25th October 2007, 02:39 AM

I would think you would almost need to find the person who made it if he or she is still around, to verify if it is the real thing or not. I can't see anyone blaming Mr Lee if this turns out not to be it, 50 years is a long time to remember an outfit I doubt if I could remember clothing from that far back.

**Andrés Verdú** · 25th October 2007, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Admin

I have just spoken to Mr. Lee regarding this cape and the information is a bit misleading. He was shown many capes and most of them could have not been the cape he used in the 1958 movie.

Finally, he was shown one cape which "looked like, it could have been" because it was the right color and the aproximate lenght. From saying that it looked like the one he used to saying it was the one, there is a big difference. He cannot posibly be able to tell, after all these years.

He did not endorse it as being the one he wore. That is for the experts to say, he is not an expert.

He hopes that no one goes and blames him, if they buy it and it is not the one.

Hello everyone,

Thank you, Juan, for taking the trouble of asking Mr Lee about the cape and for writing up the reply. Well, I agree it is somewhat misleading to jump from "looked like, it could have been" to saying that it is definitely the one. I suppose it would be very difficult indeed to state with 100% certainty that any one of the capes Mr Lee was shown was the original one he wore fifty years ago, and it does seem as though it is a question best put to the experts. If someone did go on to purchase the cape and it turned out not to be the one, I would have thought that if anyone was to blame it would be the reporters who came up with the misleading articles, and certainly NOT Mr Lee. All this raises another question about the "authenticity" of the long overcoat which was found and which the articles purport to be the one worn by Peter Cushing as Van Helsing. As Mr Cushing is sadly no longer with us, I wonder how the people who found this coat have "verified" that it is or is not the original one. This is why I remain very wary about media reports, because time after time they have a tendency to distort things so as to fit in with whatever version of events they wish to promote. Anyway, thank you again, Juan for the clarification:

Warmest regards,

Andrés

**David Pecchia** · 6th December 2007, 04:18 PM

Hi. My name is David Pecchia and I am new to the Christopher Lee web. I am very happy to be a member. I have a small low resolution photo of the cape found in the Fancy Dress Shop. I am a huge Lee fan, but again I am no expert on any of the costumes worn by any of the actors or actresses. I can say however after viewing the photo for many hours in a bigger still fuzzy scale, It does not look like the one Mr. Lee wore in the film. Everyone knows throughout his Dracula films there have been many capes made (I am sure) for the different films, yet they all look like they were made from basically the same pattern. The cloak in Dracula 1958 looked quite heavy for him to wear, so I am guessing it was made of wool. In the following film, Dracula, Prince of Darkness the cape looked like the same one used in Dracula. I also read somewhere quite some time ago, that it was infact the same cape but a red lining was added. In the Dracula films to come all of the capes featured the "red" lining. The photo I have does not look quite long enough nor does the photo look like the "rope cords" were sewn in under the flap of the collar, and look significantly longer than that in the film. The cut and shape along the bottom doesn't seem right either. After viewing Dracula again last night for the 5th time after reading the article, The cloak shown in the film looks almost the same cut and length all around and almost touching the floor. I have the photo and would like to share for all Lee fans and maybe let them see what they think. I myself also have a Dracula cloak, not one Mr. Lee wore (oh, how I wish it was!) but it was sure designed and cut to look like it. As a matter of fact, it looks just like it. It was made with high quality wool and features the red lining. I would also love to share the photos of it for all of Mr. Lee's fans to see, I even hope Mr. Lee sees it. Please let me know how to go about posting a photo or two. I also must state that if it did indeed turn out not to be the cape, it would NOT be Mr. Lee's fault, and I would not blame him either. But after all of this, I could be wrong also.

~Thank you.
David Pecchia.

**Helen Dyer** · 13th January 2008, 07:13 PM

Hi Everyone, It seems that 'the Cape' is going to auction in April 2008. I found an article of 'auction previews' in 'Heritage Magazine' on the cape.

If you have the time and are interested, here is the link:

http://www.ha.com/magazine/?show=current_issue

Scan down to the 'Auction Previews' Section and Click on ' View Articles'...The cape is the second article....

This appears to be a free publication....However, Please do not upload any pictures from this publication.....(Just in case of copyright issues)....

Cheers;)
Helen