Some Hope diamonds, in the rough

Among the hundreds of items that once belonged in the Toluca Lake and Moorpark offices of Bob Hope, some of the most unusual golf clubs could be found propped up against the wall, or bookshelf, or desk chair.

And mostly, they were props.

At an auction Saturday and Sunday at the Beverly Hilton's old Trader Vic's on Wilshire Blvd., in L.A., about a third of the some 600-plus pieces of Hope's office that is open for public purchase is sports related, and much of that, from his golf bag.

"And there's probably a great story behind every one of them," said Darren Julien of Julien's Auction House.

The former host of the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic in Palm Springs amassed some of the craziest golf-related things a commedian could possibly own.

Take lot No. 149 above for example.

On the far left, it's a putter in the shape of a red block.
Then a putter with a concealed ligher.
Next to that, a putter with the head shaped like a foot.
Then a wind-powered "Gay Brewer Levelume" 2 iron.
The one next to that has an ash tray for a putting head.
The curved shaft "Tantrum Mashie" is one probably anyone could make themselves.
Finally, a putter with a J&B bottle on the end.

Julien expects this particular club collection to fetch between $500 to $1,000 when it goes up for bidding Saturday.

A former amateur boxer, part owner of the Cleveland Indians and Los Angeles Rams, and the only civilian inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame (linked here), Hope's death five years ago at the age of 100 left a trove of memories for his wife, Dolores, and four children to go through.

The auction coming up will benefit Hope's favorite charities that support war veterans and expects to easily raise a half-million dollars.

For more information on the auction, including an online catalogue to browse through, go to the Julien's website (linked here).

The auction will take place live on AuctionNetwork.com (linked here).