Willow Auction House will present nearly 300 lots from the personal collection of Jaws author Peter Benchley in an upcoming sale. The auction is set for Thursday, October 29, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. ET in Lincoln Park, New Jersey, with online bidding available.
The collection offers a look into Benchley’s life beyond his bestselling novel, highlighting his work as a White House speechwriter, historian, traveler, and ocean conservationist. Proceeds from the auction will directly benefit WildAid and Beneath the Sea to support marine education and exploration.
Featured items include Benchley’s 1975 Jaws one-sheet movie poster, original production photographs, personal typewriters, and a T-shirt gifted to him by director Steven Spielberg. The offering also contains White House photographs and presentation pieces from his time serving as a speechwriter for President Lyndon B. Johnson.
Bidders can also purchase historical manuscripts, family artwork, maritime paintings, and diving equipment used by Benchley and his wife, Wendy. These artifacts range from a 13th-century French vellum Bible leaf to archaeological objects recovered from Bermuda shipwrecks.
Following the global success of Jaws, Benchley spent much of his later life advocating for marine protection and educating the public about sharks. The collection documents this transition from author to passionate ocean defender through personal notes, research materials, and diving gear.
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