- 2 Frassetto Way - Lincoln Park, NJ 07035
The Peter Benchley Collection: Jaws, A Life of Writing, A Legacy of Ocean Conservation.
Lot 215:
Description
Peter Benchley (American, 1940–2006). Council on International Nontheatrical Events (CINE) 1975 Golden Eagle Award plaque recognizing Benchley as the writer for the television segment Shark, produced for the American Sportsman series. The award is dated 1975, the same year as the release of the film Jaws. Signed in red ink L. Damon, marked Cine 1975 on the front, and the verso displays two stamps from Arden Photo Studio. 16" H x 13" W x 3/4" D.
A CINE Golden Eagle for the American Sportsman film of Peter’s first dive with great white sharks, at Dangerous Reef off South Australia, with Rodney Fox as guide and Stan Waterman behind the camera. Peter later described bobbing alone in a flimsy cage in the frigid sea, “tumbled about like dice in a cup.” Wendy was there too, and she was the only one to see that the cage’s rope had snagged. She rushed to pull it free. Peter came up awestruck, and the dive changed the way he saw sharks for the rest of his life.
Provenance: Exhibited in "From the White House to the Deep Ocean: LBJ, Jaws and Conservation, " held at the LBJ Presidential Library, Austin, Texas, from April 19 through October 19, 2025.
From the personal collection of Peter Benchley (American, 1940–2006), acclaimed author of Jaws, accomplished diver, and prominent advocate for ocean and shark conservation.
Proceeds from the Peter Benchley Collection will benefit five ocean conservation organizations: Peter Benchley Ocean Awards, WildAid, Beneath the Waves, Blue Frontier and Environmental Defense Fund.
Condition report:
The paper certificate displays moderate uneven discoloration and mottled foxing. The wood finish remains intact with minor surface wear and small nicks along the edges. The verso has light scuffing.
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