The Hollywood sign was first erected in 1923. Dan Bliss, who owns the original nine world famous letters has put them up for auction. And he has chosen eBay as his marketplace.

Of course, those who put in a bid don't get a blade of grass or a rock under the sign. However, if you decide to put it up in your backyard you'll need enough room to showcase 2,000 square feet of material.

Until 1978, the sign had been perched on top of Mount Lee's Beachwood Canyon, LA's tallest peak. The letters are four stories tall and 450 feet long. Each are between nine and thirteen feet thick.

One eBay member named EZ said, "Now this auction is something worth watching! This is the most amazing thing I have ever seen on eBay over the last 7 years."

At the time of publication the higgest bid was $90,100.00.

Over 100 bids have been placed, thus far; 101 to be exact.

The original Hollywood sign was first built by Los Angeles Times publisher Harry Chandle and film director Mack Sennett in 1923.

Until 1949, the sign had four more letters: L, A, N, D.

HOLLYWOODLAND was the name.

When the Department of Recreation and Parks stepped in and removed these four letters, many claimed it went from being a "gaudy billboard" to a world-renowned public landmark.

In 1973, the sign was declared a Cultural Historic Monument.

In 1978, Playboy founder Hugh Hefner hosted a fundraiser at the Playboy Mansion, where individual letters were auctioned off.

$28,000 was raised to refurbish each letter.

Alice Cooper sponsored an "O" -- in honor of Groucho.

Gene Autry sponsored an "L."

And Paul Williams sponsored the "W."

That same year, nightclub owner Hank Berger purchased the original sign for $10,000 and placed it in storage. Berger stored the sign in a warehouse in the San Fernando Valley, where it stayed for 25 years.

With the support of celebrities like Cooper, Autry and Williams, a new sign was placed back up on Mount Lee.

Two years ago, Dan Bliss bought the original 1923 sign and created the AuthenticHollywood business.

Today, all nine letters are available for sale. With them will come an "authentic" web site, and a place in history.

"I'm Glad there is so much interest in it," owner Bliss said yesterday.

He added:

It is a landmark, one of the best known icons in the world. Not only is it one of the most photographed structures on earth but its symbolic of the entire entertainment industry.

To make a bid or to simply satisfy your curiosity, please go to:

At 20:18:46 PST on December 6th, 2005 the highest bidder at that very moment will own this American icon -- as long as they have offered to pay at least $300,000.

If so, eBay item #5640511574 will go into the history books.

The current owner plans to take the proceeds from this sale to fund his next film.

The new owner with have one of the most fascinating stories to tell this holiday season.

"Telling people you own the Hollywood sign is a great ice-breaker," Bliss said.

Inspire & Be Inspired.

Here's to healthy, adventuresome, soulful, "iconic art" living!

~ Jennifer Carolyn King, Rugged Elegance, LLC