Falcon has a “6” inscribed on the left rear tail feather and initialed “FS” for Fred Sexton on the right rear tail feather. Grey plaster. Weight = approx 6lbs. Measures = 12 H x 5 W x 4 D.

Cited by critics as one of the greatest films of all time, the 1941 film noir masterpiece The Maltese Falcon featured two stars: silver screen legend Humphrey Bogart and the infamous “black bird” – the Maltese Falcon itself. Directed by John Huston and based on Dashiell Hammett’s classic novel, the movie follows Bogart as private detective Sam Spade and Mary Astor as Brigid O'Shaughnessy, his femme fatale client. Spade and O'Shaughnessy form an ill-fated alliance as they contend with unscrupulous adventurers who seek a “golden Falcon encrusted from beak to claw with rarest jewels.”

Recently, new evidence emerged substantiating the theory that the Maltese Falcon statuette was more than a simple movie prop, but rather an original sculpture by noted 20th Century modern artist Fred Sexton. The Maltese Falcon prop exclusively offered by Guernsey’s belongs to Mr. Hank Risan. In 1989, Mr. Risan embarked on an extensive and successful authentication project, obtaining testimonies from experts including Vivian Sobchack, Ph.D. (Professor Emerita, UCLA School of Film, Theatre, and Television), Professor Richard Walter (UCLA Department of Film, Television, and Digital Media), Meta D. Wilde (John Huston’s script supervisor and continuity person for The Maltese Falcon), Ben Goldmond (long-time Warner Bros. Property Dept. employee), and Edward Baer (assistant manager of the Warner Bros. Property Department). Dean Sobchack confirms, "I am now completely convinced that the statuettes in Mr. Risan's possession were original plaster props for John Huston's The Maltese Falcon.

Interested parties can participate in this four lot auction in person at the Arader Galleries, 1016 Madison Avenue, New York City, or liveauctioneers.com. A preview of the Maltese Falcon and Einstein Letters will take place on November 6 from 11 to 6pm and on the auction day (November 7) from 11 to 3pm. For additional information, interested collectors and fans are urged to contact Guernsey’s directly or learn more by visiting our website

The Maltese Falcon Interview: Michele Fortier, Daughter of Maltese Falcon Prop Artist Fred Sexton: http://youtu.be/vckWgoSnCCA