Texas literary legend Larry McMurtry's personal estate up for auction in San Antonio

Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman
·2 min read
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Author Larry McMurtry's typewriters, writing desk, personal copies of his classic books, his firearms, boots, memorabilia from his Hollywood movies, as well as artwork and furnishings from his home go up for auction on May 29.
Author Larry McMurtry's typewriters, writing desk, personal copies of his classic books, his firearms, boots, memorabilia from his Hollywood movies, as well as artwork and furnishings from his home go up for auction on May 29.
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Ever daydreamed that you could write like Larry McMurtry, the Texas author of "Lonesome Dove," "Terms of Endearment," "The Last Picture Show" and other classics?

Can't hurt to dream.

While you're dreaming, if you make the highest bid, you could own McMurtry's personal gray-green Hermes 3000 typewriter when it goes up for auction, along with other personal items, on May 29 in San Antonio.

You mean the entire Larry McMurtry estate?

No. Vogt Auction Galleries put out the word that his partial personal estate will be on the block.

According to the San Antonio Express-News, the author's son, musician and actor James McMurtry of Austin, kept many of his father's items. He and Vogt Auction Galleries director Rob Vogt walked through his father's house deciding which objects to sell.

Larry McMurtry collected all sorts of mementos, including some related to a famous Texas soft drink.
Larry McMurtry collected all sorts of mementos, including some related to a famous Texas soft drink.

True to his Texas roots to the end, McMurtry was born June 3, 1936, in Archer City, Texas, and died March 25, 2021, in the same small North Central Texas town.

The featured items include, according to Vogt, his typewriters, writing desk, personal copies of his classic books, his firearms, boots, memorabilia from his Hollywood movies, and artwork and furnishings from his home.

Not up for auction: His literary papers, which already reside in various archives, such as the Wittliff Collection at Texas State University in San Marcos.

On May 29, Vogt Auction Galleries in San Antonio will put personal belongings of late author Larry McMurtry up for auction. One can bid live in person, by phone or online. You can also arrange to bid absentee.
On May 29, Vogt Auction Galleries in San Antonio will put personal belongings of late author Larry McMurtry up for auction. One can bid live in person, by phone or online. You can also arrange to bid absentee.

What about his gargantuan bookstore?

The San Antonio auction does not include McMurtry's vast bookstore in Archer City. That went to Waco's Chip Gaines of "Fixer Upper" and Magnolia Market fame.

Booked Up had been closed since McMurtry's death. The sale was first reported in late 2022 by in the Archer County News after Gaines was spotted carrying boxes of books in or near the usually underpopulated courthouse square.

According to Texas Monthly, Gaines' parents and grandparents made their homes in Archer City.

How can I bid on items from Larry McMurtry's estate?

The full auction catalog will be available May 5 at TexasAuction.com. The auction starts at 1 p.m. May 29 at Vogt’s auction house at 7233 Blanco Road in San Antonio. Bids will be accepted live in person, by telephone, online and by absentee bid.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Late Texas author Larry McMurtry's estate goes up for auction in May