BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Nov. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Fans and collectors world- wide will want to "Put 'em up, put 'em up" when Bert Lahr's original lion costume from the 1939 classic "The Wizard of Oz" goes on the auction block during Profiles in History's two-day Hollywood Memorabilia auction, beginning Thursday, December 14. Joseph Maddalena's Profiles in History, the number one company in the world for live and simultaneous Internet memorabilia auctions, will begin the two-day, three million dollar auction featuring over 900 items at 12 Noon (PST).

The "Cowardly Lion" costume is expected to sell for $400,000 - $600,000. It is regarded as the most coveted piece of Hollywood history extant. It stands alone as the sole "Wizard of Oz" character costume available to collectors in the public domain; the "Tin Man" was destroyed and the "Scarecrow" is currently housed in the Smithsonian.

Discovered at the legendary 1970 MGM/David Weisz Auction, the most famous sale in the history of Hollywood memorabilia. The costume is composed of real lion pelts, which have been sewn together to form the complete outfit. The costume is mounted on a steel armature positioned in the memorable "Put 'em up, put 'em up" pose from the film.

Collectors from around the world may bid in person either at Profiles in History's gallery located at 110 N. Doheny Drive in Beverly Hills, California; live on the Internet at http://www.ebayliveauctions.com/; or by phone or fax. All items to be auctioned are available for review in a full-color catalogue obtainable through Profiles in History, or by visiting the company's website at http://www.profilesinhistory.com/. For press images, please email request to lorna@profilesinhistory.com.

PRESS CONTACT: Carolyn Prousky/CPPR (323) 656-8047 Carolyn@prouskypr.com

CONTACT: Carolyn Prousky of CPPR, +1-323-656-8047,
Carolyn@prouskypr.com, for Profiles in History

Web site: http://www.ebayliveauctions.com/

Web site: http://www.profilesinhistory.com/