Own Truman Capote (yes the author)

Here at For Reading Addicts we have covered so many different news items, some sad, some heartwarming and the occasional one that makes you wonder at the world; this one definitely falls into the WTF category.  Do you want to own Truman Capote?

Truman Capote who is probably best known for his novel Breakfast at Tiffany’s and of course his nonfiction (collaboration with TKAMB author Harper Lee) In Cold Blood, died in 1984 at the age of 59 in Los Angeles and after he was cremated his ashes were bequeathed to Joanne Carson, the ex-wife of Tonight Show king, Johnny Carson. Unfortunately the remains do not seem to have been treated with the respect they deserve and have since been on quite the adventure. Initially they were split between Carson and Capote’s long-time partner, Jack Dunphy. Carson’s portion of the ashes were later stolen but were subsequently returned and eventually interred at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery and now, they are up for auction. Yes that is correct, you can own Truman Capote’s ashes.

Joanne Carson died in 2015 and now Capote’s ashes along with several other items of his, including a papier-mâché parrot, “risque” photographs, and the polo shirt the author was wearing when he died are being auctioned off by Carson’s Estate. The auctioneers in charge of the sale are Julien’s Auctions who have in the past sold William Shatner’s kidney stone so they are not new to the sale of the strange and unusual. Speaking to Vanity Fair, CEO Darrien Julien said “I am sure people are going to think this is disrespectful, but this is a fact: Truman Capote loved the element of shock. He loved publicity. And I’m sure he’s looking down laughing, and saying, ‘That’s something I would have done.'”

Whether or not Capote would have approved of his mortal remains being sold on is a moot point as he’s not really in a position to complain and so the sale will go ahead on September 23rd. If you fancy adding Capote to your bookshelves you’ll need a predicted $6,000 (£4,550) to snag them.