Laurence Olivier’s prosthetic nose put up for sale by widow

A prosthetic nose worn by Lord Laurence Olivier has been put on sale by his widow Dame Joan Plowright, along with other items from the late actor.

The Shakespearean actor, who was nominated for 11 competitive Oscars – taking home one for 1948’s Hamlet, put on the nose during his 1955 Academy Award-nominated Richard III performance.

The 1,000-2,000 US dollars (£771 to £1,541) estimated item comes along with a birthday note, addressed to “Larry”, as part of Julien’s Auctions and Turner Classic Movies (TCM) auction.

Also being sold is a gold pocket watch with a Richard III inscription for 600-800 US dollars (£462 to £617), and his Venice Film Festival Golden Lion prize for Hamlet for 5,000-7,000 US dollars (£3,850 to £5,390).

Dame Joan, 95, an actress known for the 1991 British comedy Enchanted April, is also auctioning his Academy Award nomination plaques for Wuthering Heights, Marathon Man, and Sleuth, for between 800-3,000 US dollars each (£617 to £2,312) as well as his personalised script holder for 500-700 US dollars (£385 to £539)

A Weber piano that Lord Olivier played at home, a Bafta best actor gong for Richard III and props of crowns worn by him in various Shakespearean performances are also being sold.

Dame Joan is also selling both her Golden Globe Awards for Best Supporting Actress for Enchanted April, as well as TV biopic Stalin, and a note she received from her Love You To Death co-star River Phoenix, who died at 23 in 1993.

Her wedding to Lord Olivier in 1961 was the sensation of the year, and their marriage was an enduring one. She became his carer through a series of chronic illnesses, including cancer.

The actor, who previously tied the knot with actresses Jill Esmond and Vivien Leigh, died in 1989 at the age of 82.

The items will be sold through Julien’s Auctions and TCM Present: A Week Of Hollywood Legends, from December 10-13, along with Bob Mackie outfits associated with Cher, P!nk and Miley Cyrus.