HOLLYWOOD HISTORY IS ON THE BLOCK.

Byline: Valerie Kuklenski Staff Writer

It will take courage only the wizard himself could bestow to bid on the one and only Cowardly Lion costume from ``The Wizard of Oz.''

Profiles in History of Beverly Hills projects that the Burt Lahr costume, made of actual lion pelts, will sell this week for $400,000-$600,000.

The costume, restored and mounted on an armature with a mask of Lahr's likeness, is a major attraction in a sale rich in Hollywood historic artifacts.

The switchblade used by James Dean in the 1955 drama ``Rebel Without a Cause'' is valued at $30,000-$50,000, while a script from ``East of Eden'' signed by the principal actors and director Elia Kazan is expected to sell for $15,000-$18,000.

For those with a taste for King bling, Elvis Presley's diamond and platinum wedding band (size 8 1/2) is on the block for $100,000-$150,000, including several authenticating documents.

The sale also has original movie art, such as the poster artwork for the James Bond classic ``Thunderball'' ($20,000-$30,000), the Walter Plunkett costume sketch of Scarlett O'Hara's drapery dress from ``Gone With the Wind'' ($4,000-$6,000) and Ray Harryhausen's concept art from ``The Jupitarian'' ($20,000-$25,000).

The sale starts at noon Thursday and Friday at Profiles in History, 110 N. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills, with online bidding at www.ebayliveauctions.com. Call [phone] or go to www.profilesinhistory.com for the catalog and other information.

CAPTION(S):

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(1 -- 2) The Cowardly Lion costume from ``The Wizard of Oz'' is expected to fetch $400,000-$600,000 at auction. Elvis Presley's wedding band, above, is priced at $100,000- $150,000.

(3) The switchblade James Dean used in the 1955 film ``Rebel Without a Cause'' is expected to fetch $30,000-$50,000 at auction this week.