WORLD
Rare Audrey Hepburn stamps sold at Berlin auction
Baku, October 19 (AZERTAC). A rare sheet of 10 stamps showing film star Audrey Hepburn smoking has fetched 430,000 euros (£380,000) at a charity auction in Berlin. The German Postal Service printed 14 million of the stamps in 2001 depicting the actress as Holly Golightly in the film Breakfast at Tiffany`s.
They show Hepburn with a long, black cigarette holder hanging from her lips. But her son refused to grant copyright, saying the image had been altered, and all but a few sheets were destroyed.
Two-thirds of the proceeds from Saturday`s auction will go towards the Audrey Hepburn Children`s Fund to help educate children in sub-Saharan Africa, while a third will go to Unicef.
“I feel wonderful about the fact that something that belonged to her today can bring focus on children in need all over the world,” said Mr Ferrer, who is also chairman of the Hepburn charity.
The stamps were printed as part of a series featuring classic film stars, but it was only after production that Mr Ferrer was contacted for copyright permission.