Sell or Auction Your Bruce Lee Autograph for up to $37,500 or More at Nate D. Sanders Auctions

FREE VALUATION. To buy, auction, sell or consign your Bruce Lee memorabilia that is for sale, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (http://www.NateDSanders.com).

Sell Your Bruce Lee Autograph

Bruce Lee continues to inspire new generations of collectors who pay top dollar at auction for his rare memorabilia.  The iconic martial artist/movie star/philosopher’s legend only continues to grow, 43 years after his untimely death.  Born in San Francisco and raised through his teenage years in the Kowloon section of Hong Kong, Lee broke down countless barriers encountered by Asian actors in Hollywood, becoming the star instead of the sidekick.

The Nate D. Sanders Bruce Lee memorabilia auction has a long history of auctioning some of the finest Bruce Lee memorabilia to reach the open market, while achieving fantastic results.

In 2013, the Nate D. Sanders Bruce Lee memorabilia auction had the honor of auctioning the estate of Bruce Lee’s best friend & student, the world renowned martial arts expert, Herb Jackson.  The fabulous collection featured never before seen items worn & used by Bruce Lee.

Below are some examples from our Nate D. Sanders Bruce Lee memorabilia auction items that have sold:

Fantastic Bruce Lee Autograph Letter Signed on Gung Fu Discipline, Harmonious Movements, Health, Mind, No Wasted Movements, Oneness, Self-Consciousness, Self Defense, Simplicity & Training

Bruce Lee autograph letter signed, with exceptional content explaining the philosophical and spiritual underpinnings of Gung Fu martial arts. Dated 4 April 1964 with the original envelope postmarked from Seattle, Lee writes to an aspiring martial arts student Gene Snelling, just before Snelling deployed to Vietnam. The inspiring letter reads in full, “Dear Gene, Your letter arrived [at] the Institute to-day, and I have to say I am impressed by your enthusiasm. / The Jun Fan Gung Fu Institute of Seattle began only six months ago. The aim is to teach the true ‘Way’ of Gung Fu all over the U.S. At present the Institute has around 45 students and meet 3 times a week – Tues. & Thurs. night 8-9:30 p.m. and Sunday morning 10-11:30 a.m. / Gung Fu means discipline and training toward the ultimate Reality of the object – be it on health promotion, on mind cultivation, or on self-protection. / No distinction is made to separate between the opponent and the self because the opponent is but the complementary part of oneself. There is then no conquering, struggling or dominating, but to fit harmoniously one’s movement into that of the opponent (when he expands, you contract; when he contracts, you expand, each being the cause and result of the other.) There is then a ‘oneness’ result. / The closer to the source of true martial art, the less wastage of movement there is, and a good Gung Fu man is a simplifier – to express the utmost in the minimum of motion and energy. Thus profound simplicity, not fundamental, is the key word and simplicity, by the way, is the natural result of the highest cultivation. This simplicity is the last stage of art. / The highest stage occurs when a person is devoided of self-consciousness and his feeling and experience expresses himself freely. The actions will be being so of themselves without straining or striving. / I’m invited to give a demonstration in Calif. next month (May 2) in Alameda. If you happen to be some-where near by you can look me up in James Lee’s address. I’ll be there from May 1-May 3 for the weekend. This summer I might g to Toronto and teach for two weeks and will stop by for the World’s Fair at N.Y. so if opportunity arrives, maybe we can meet each other. / Sincerely / Bruce J.F. Lee”. Three page letter is on three sheets, ideal for framing. Pages measure 7.25″ x 10.5″. Light browning at edges, but overall in near fine condition with bold handwriting, composed using a felt-tip pen. Letter is accompanied by original envelope, handwritten by Lee, with his return address as the Jun Fan Gung Fu Institute on University Way in Seattle, Washington.  Sold for $37,500.

Fantastic Lot of Three Bruce Lee Signed Letters — ”…Since the Green Hornet, many ‘Masters’ and ‘Doctors’ have either defeated me or killed me…” — With University Archives COAs

Fantastic set of three letters by Bruce Lee — two typed letters signed, and one autograph letter signed, regarding the constant rumors of ”masters” he had never met claiming to defeat or even kill him in a fight. Lee writes all three letters on his Jeet Kune Do stationery to William J. Chung, a kung-fu master in New York City during the 1960s. In Lee’s first letter, dated 4 September 1967, he writes to Chung in part, ”…I do not know of any gentleman by the name of Bruce Fleetwood. As to his rumors about me, there are one hundred and one of them told to me every day…[signed] Bruce”. The name of Bruce Fleetwood may ring a bell to Bruce Lee fans, as that name appeared in a ”Letter to the Editor”, written by Chung that appeared in ”Black Belt” magazine in its January 1968 issue, as part of a series of letters that Bruce Lee responded to. Sold for $34,939.

Bruce Lee Signed Photo Without Inscription — Lot Also Includes First Edition of ”Chinese Gung Fu” and Early 1960s Business Card

Lee Jun-fan (Chinese: 李振藩; November 27, 1940 – July 20, 1973), commonly known as Bruce Lee (Chinese: 李小龍), was a Hong Kong American martial artist, actor, director, martial arts instructor and philosopher. He was the founder of Jeet Kune Do, a hybrid martial arts philosophy drawing from different combat disciplines that is often credited with paving the way for modern mixed martial arts (MMA). Lee is considered by commentators, critics, media, and other martial artists to be the most influential martial artist of all time and a pop culture icon of the 20th century, who bridged the gap between East and West. He is credited with helping to change the way Asians were presented in American films.

Chinese martial arts, often called by the umbrella terms kung fu (/ˈkʊŋ ˈfuː/; Chinese: 功夫; pinyin: gōngfu;  Cantonese Yale: gūng fū), kuoshu (國術; guóshù) or wushu (武術; wǔshù), are several hundred fighting styles that have developed over the centuries in Greater China. These fighting styles are often classified according to common traits, identified as “families” of martial arts. Examples of such traits include Shaolinquan (少林拳) physical exercises involving Five Animals (五形) mimicry or training methods inspired by Old Chinese philosophies, religions and legends. Styles that focus on qi manipulation are called internal (内家拳; nèijiāquán), while others that concentrate on improving muscle and cardiovascular fitness are called external (外家拳; wàijiāquán).

Excellent lot of Bruce Lee items, including a signed photo by Lee, a first edition of ”Chinese Gung Fu” and one of Lee’s early 1960s business cards. Photo is elegantly signed by Lee without inscription, ”Best wishes / Bruce Lee”. Glossy photo measures 2.875” x 3.25”, in near fine condition. Lot also includes a first edition of Lee’s book, ”Chinese Gung Fu / The Philosophical Art of Self-Defense”. Oakland: Oriental Book Sales, 1963. Book spans 102pp. and measures 5.5” x 8.25”. A few dog-eared pages and light wear, overall in very good plus condition. Finally, lot includes one of Lee’s earliest business cards from the early 1960s, simply titled ”Chinese Gung Fu” at top, offering various types of lessons and with the gold/red yin yang symbol. Faint toning to right edge, else near fine condition. A fine lot of early 1960s Bruce Lee items, including one of his desirable signed photos. Sold for $32,426.

Bruce Lee Owned & Worn White Leather Shoes With 3” Lifts

Bruce Lee’s personally owned and worn shoes. Pair of white leather lace-up shoes feature a 1” platform under the front of the foot and a 3” heel. Shoes are an approximate men’s size 7.5. Lee’s widow distributed his shoes between the two men closest to Lee who were most similar in shoe size – his brother and Herb Jackson.  Image of Bruce wearing the shoes lifting the barbell is from pp. 114 of ”The Art of Expressing the Human Body’. The other image appears on pp. 14 of a vintage magazine headlined, ”Bruce Lee & The Way of the Dragon”. Sold for $29,136

Scarce Bruce Lee Signed 8” x 10” Photo From ”The Green Hornet”, Also Signed by Van Williams — With a Bold Signature by Lee, Who Signs in Both English and With His Chinese Dragon Symbol

Scarce Bruce Lee signed publicity photo from ”The Green Hornet”, Lee’s breakout role in 1966. In bright green felt-tip, Lee signs ”Best Wishes / Bruce Lee” and also draws the Chinese symbol for the dragon, which he often used as a signature. Photo is also signed by Lee’s co-star Van Williams who writes, ”All the best / Van Williams” in black felt-tip. Both men inscribe the photo to ”Mandy”, the consignor and then niece of a casting assistant for ”The Green Hornet” at 20th Century-Fox Television. Glossy photo measures 8” x 10”. Minute smudging to writing, and light wear. Overall very good plus condition. With an LOA from Mandy the consignor. Sold for $27,453.

Bruce Lee Signed & Handwritten Martial Arts File for His Friend & Student, Hollywood Movie Star Steve McQueen

Bruce Lee signed student file for actor Steve McQueen, who studied under Lee at the Jun Fan Gung Fu Institute. McQueen was also Lee’s close friend and a pallbearer at his funeral in 1973. This file, entitled ”Bruce Lee’s Tao of Gung Fu” is handwritten by Lee on the cover, ”Steve McQueen” and signed ”Bruce Lee” by him inside, under ”President’s Approval” of McQueen’s promotion. Lee also hand writes McQueen’s personal information, including his age, address, phone numbers, marital status, profession, etc., and notes his date of promotion as ”Oct. 17 1967”. Heavy paper folder measures 9.5” x 11.5”, with the Institute’s orange and gold yin/yang symbol on the cover. In near fine condition. Originally lot 27 of Superior Galleries’ Bruce Lee auction on 7 August 1993, there consigned by Lee’s wife, Linda Lee Caldwell. Sold for $24,361.

Bruce Lee Autograph Letter Twice-Signed From 1972 — ”…I’ve been busy writing my script…”

Bruce Lee autograph letter, signed ”Bruce” at closing, and ”Bruce Lee” in the return address panel on verso of air mail stationery. Postmarked 21 February 1972 from Hong Kong, Lee writes to his long-time friend Herb Jackson, thanking him for his training equipment (Jackson constructed many custom items for Lee, including some auctioned here), and also mentioning the screenplay for Lee’s film ”The Way of the Dragon”. Letter penned in blue ballpoint reads in full,

”Herb, Linda finally arrived yesterday and we are in the midst of finding a bigger apartment. / I’ve been busy writing my script and should be finished in a couple of week [sic]. / However, the main purpose of this letter is not to tell you how we are doing, thought I also would like to, but what I like to say is to thank you for all that you have done, the training equipment, the helping of moving my house (not just once) and I thank you sincerely and with the deepest appreciation. By the way, let me know how much the cement in the patio comes to. / Linda, Brandon and Shannon send their love. / Take care, keep well and drop us a line. Bruce”.

Letter on pale blue stationery measures 6.75” x 11.25”. Folds, a few small holes, and edgewear, overall very good condition. A rare letter by Lee to his close friend. With a COA from Herb Jackson’s son. Sold for $16,638.

Bruce Lee’s Personally Owned & Worn High Style Platform Shoes

Bruce Lee personally owned and worn shoes. Pair of leather shoes in dark brown and tan feature a squared tongue with tan leather diamond in the center and cream piping. Shoes sit on a 2” heel. Men’s size 6.5. Scuffing, else near fine. Lee’s widow distributed his shoes between the two men closest to Lee who were most similar in shoe size – his brother and his close friend Herb Jackson, well-documented as a first generation Jeet Kune Do student and maker of Lee’s custom martial arts training equipment. With a COA from Jackson’s son. Sold for $13,589.

Bruce Lee’s National Karate Championship Plaque

1970 National Karate Championship plaque, awarded to Bruce Lee. Although Bruce Lee never participated in any martial arts tournaments other than demonstrations, this is one of the few awards he accepted. Plaque reads in full, ”Presented to / Mr. Bruce Lee / Guest of Honor / at / 1970 National Karate Championship / Washington, D.C. / May 24, 1970 / Presented by / Jhoon Rhee”. Measures 12” x 16.25”. Affixed to mat board for framing. Light scratching, otherwise near fine. Originally lot 139 of Superior Galleries’ Bruce Lee auction on 7 August 1993, there consigned by Lee’s wife, Linda Lee Caldwell and with her COA. Superb Bruce Lee memorabilia.  Sold for $12,500.

From our 2016 Bruce Lee Memorabilia Auction.  Click above for larger image.

Bruce Lee Owned & Used Double End Striking Bag

Bruce Lee personally owned and used double end striking bag from training in his proprietary martial arts philosophy, Jeet Kune Do. Bag by Everlast brand is sturdily constructed of eight panels of pink terra cotta color leather, with brand name stamped in black and labeled ”Genuine Cowhide”. Oblong bag laces up at one end and has built-in leather loops for suspending at both ends. Measures 13” x 11”. Light soiling, else near fine. From among the training equipment Lee gifted to Herb Jackson upon his move to Hong Kong. Jackson is well-documented as a builder of Lee’s custom martial arts training equipment, a task he undertook as Lee’s first generation Jeet Kune Do student and friend. With a COA from Jackson’s son. Sold for $12,353.

Bruce Lee’s Personally Owned & Worn Headgear

Bruce Lee owned and worn protective headgear used in training of his proprietary martial arts method, Jeet Kune Do. Open style headgear by Builtuff buckles in the back. Measures 10” across the front. Light soiling and wear, else near fine. With a COA from the family of Herb Jackson, well-documented as Lee’s friend and Jeet Kune Do protege, to whom Lee gifted much of his training equipment, including this piece, upon his final move to Hong Kong. Sold for $12,353.

Bruce Lee signed publicity photo from the 1966 television show ”The Green Hornet”. Lee played Kato, Green Hornet’s martial-arts partner. Lee signs in black marker, ”To Bruce, Best Wishes / Bruce Lee” above his hand-drawn Chinese character of the Dragon. As Lee was born in the Year of the Dragon and the Hour of the Dragon, he sometimes incorporated the Loong character of the dragon into his signature.  Sold for $12,080

Bruce Lee Signed Book, “Chinese Gung Fu – The Philosophical Art of Self-Defense” — Lee Also Hand-Writes: “Simplicity is the height of cultivation; partial cultivation runs to ornamentation”

Outstanding Bruce Lee signed book, “Chinese Gung Fu – The Philosophical Art of Self-Defense” written by Lee. Upon the front free endpaper, Bruce Lee hand-writes, “To Ernie, Simplicity is the height of cultivation; partial cultivation runs to ornamentation.” He then signs “Bruce Lee” and draws his personal Chinese dragon character. First edition softcover book is copyrighted 1963 by Bruce Lee, with Oriental Book Sales in Oakland, California listed at bottom of copyright page. Written in his elegant script, Lee’s handwritten guidance to seek out simplicity nicely dovetails with his introduction in the book: “I have made my opponent’s techniques my techniques; my task is simply to complete the other half of the ‘oneness’, and my action is that of Wu-Wei (spontaneous act) which is according to the circumstances without pre-arrangement. The training of mind and imagination, imagination and Ch’i (breath), breath and energy, etc., are all gone. There is nothing to ‘try’ to do; everything simply flows”. Softcover book measures 5.5″ x 8.25″ and runs 102pp., with photos of Lee performing the various techniques throughout. Covers secure the pages which have been stapled for original binding. A bit of scuffing to covers and very light soiling to signature page; overall in very good condition. An exceptionally rare and desirable Bruce Lee signed item. With University Archives COA. Sold for $11,244.

Bruce Lee letter signed. Lee’s letter was sent from Hong Kong just before the premier of ”Return of the Dragon” aka ”Way of the Dragon” in that city. It is addressed to his close friend and Jeet Kune Do protege Herb Jackson in Los Angeles. Postmarked 22 November 1972, the letter reads in full, ”Dear Herb, There has been a slight change of plan which is the premier night of my motion picture in Hong Kong is rescheduled for December 23. There will be just this slight postponement. I have already written James Lee. I hope you are in the process of getting all the necessary documents for traveling and as soon as I get an okay from James’ physical examination, I will write to you to make all the necessary arrangements. Take care, Your Friend, [signed] Bruce Lee”.  Sold for $10,208

Bruce Lee’s Personally Owned & Worn Leather Sandals

Bruce Lee personally owned and worn shoes. Lee’s sandals are constructed of dark brown leather with metal hardware. Sandals feature two thick straps across the top of the foot and a thinner strap stretching across the back of the ankle and fasten with a metal buckle. Approximate size 7.5 men’s. Some stiffening to leather, tarnishing and rusting to hardware, else near fine. Lee’s widow distributed his shoes between the two men closest to Lee who were most similar in shoe size – his brother and his close friend Herb Jackson, well-documented as a first generation Jeet Kune Do student and maker of Lee’s custom martial arts training equipment. With a COA from Jackson’s son. Sold for $7,668.

Bruce Lee Enter the Dragon Banner Poster Film 1973

Large banner advertising for “Enter the Dragon”, used to advertise the film when it premiered in the summer of 1973. Banner measures over 18′ x 3′, designed in strong graphic colors of yellow, black and white portraying the film’s three protagonists: Bruce Lee, John Saxon and Jim Kelly, along with the female lead Ahna Capri. “Enter the Dragon” is one of the most financially successful and culturally important films of the 20th century, influencing many of today’s filmmakers with its genre blending mix of martial arts action while starring an ethnically diverse cast. Banner is made of semi-waxed durable paper, intended for use outdoors. At bottom right of main section it reads, “Celebrating Warner Bros. 50th Anniv. A Warner Communications Co.”, with the 50th anniversary matching the year 1973. Banner measures approximately 18′ 4″ long x 3′ high. Some tearing where triangles meet the rope, and moderate soiling, more so to back. Very good condition. Sold for $4,950.

The Nate D. Sanders Bruce Lee memorabilia auction looks forward to continuing to provide both consignors and collectors the opportunity to share in the celebration of all things Bruce Lee.

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