- 2 Frassetto Way - Lincoln Park, NJ 07035
Willow Auction House is proud to present the personal collection of Peter Benchley (1940–2006), the acclaimed author, screenwriter, diver, and ocean conservationist best known for Jaws.
This intimate collection offers a personal look at Benchley’s life and career, featuring Jaws production photographs and memorabilia, original typewriters, personal books and research materials, awards, photographs, diving suits and personal effects. Highlights include Benchley’s 1975 Jaws one-sheet, original Jaws T-shirts - including one gifted to him by Steven Spielberg - and an extensive selection of material documenting the making and enduring legacy of Jaws.
Benchley’s early career included working as a speechwriter for President Lyndon B. Johnson, represented here by photographs and presentation pieces associated with Johnson and Lady Bird Johnson, including signed and inscribed photographs presented to Benchley. The collection also features a selection of historical manuscripts and documents, including a 17th-century royal decree signed by Philip II of Spain, documents associated with Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile, a 13th-century French vellum Bible leaf, and an early American newspaper, The Massachusetts Spy.
Beyond Jaws, the collection reflects Benchley’s lifelong passion for the ocean, exploration, and maritime art, with works including Christopher Blossom’s Ship Allerton, Thomas Hoyne’s First and Saucy, and marine works by Richard Ellis, alongside marine photography, maps, and maritime artifacts. Particularly compelling are objects connected directly to Benchley’s own adventures, including his personal diving equipment, Henderson titanium wetsuit, shark teeth, fossils, and archaeological artifacts recovered by Peter and Wendy Benchley, including material from Bermuda shipwrecks. A passionate ocean conservationist, Benchley became increasingly concerned that Jaws had contributed to public fear of sharks; he subsequently dedicated much of his later life to educating the public about sharks and advocating for their protection. Photographs documenting Benchley diving with sharks and manta rays further capture his lifelong commitment to understanding and preserving the marine world.
Together, these nearly 300 lots offer a rare glimpse into Peter Benchley’s life as a writer, speechwriter, diver, explorer, collector, and advocate for the oceans. From iconic Jaws memorabilia and literary material to fine art, historical documents, diving equipment, and personally recovered artifacts, there is something for every collector and admirer of Peter Benchley and the legendary film.
Willow Auction House packs and ships select items in house, please see shipping details for more information. The buyer is responsible for ALL packing & shipping charges. Pick-ups are by appointment only and need to be scheduled. Willow Auction House must be notified in writing if anyone other than the winning bidder is picking up the lot. When picking up, please note the Warehouse location says "All Wrapped Up" with a green awning. Please make sure to bring ALL necessary packing supplies, paper, and boxes to pack your winning items. Please also bring enough manpower to be able to lift and remove your winning items. A loading dock is available.
Please call our offices at 862-895-5700 to confirm pick-up hours, as they are subject to change without notice.
Please note: We require items to be picked up or shipped within 3 weeks from the auction date. Items not picked up or shipped within 3 weeks will incur a $10 a day storage fee per lot. Any items not shipped or picked up within 4 weeks from the auction will be considered forfeited and will become house property or be donated.
SHIPPING DETAILS
Invoice must be paid in full before requesting shipping information. Once the invoice is paid in full, shipping and pick up communications will be sent via our Shipping program, "Shipping Saint".
Small items will be shipped by USPS, FedEx, UPS, or a comparative service. We offer buyers of larger items (furniture, rugs, large artwork) our services if they are within our shipping limits. Larger items outside our shipping capacity, we will assist in securing a third-party shipper. Buyers are also welcome to use a shipper of their choice.
Any gold, silver or other precious metal or stone items valued at $500 or more will be held for 45 days from the payment date if paid via credit card, or PayPal. If you would like to avoid this hold, please make payment with cash, cashier's check, wire transfer, Venmo, or Zelle.
JEWELRY, GOLD, SILVER, OR OTHER PRECIOUS MATERIALS POLICY:
Any lots of jewelry, gold, silver, or other precious material purchased for $500 or more and any coins, must be held for 45 days from payment date to avoid fraud. This is especially true for any items purchased for more than melted value. We offer a wire transfer or cash payment option, if the buyer wishes to receive the lot(s) sooner.
Any Shipping claims must be submitted within 7 days of receipt of the item.
