Signed Billy Crystal Items On Auction Block For Long Beach Group

LONG BEACH, NY — Long Beach's favorite son has donated some signed memorabilia. Billy Crystal, a graduate of Long Beach High School's Class of 1965, is helping the Long Beach Historical & Preservation Society raise money as they auction items from the legendary comic's personal collection.

A live viewing will take place on Saturday at their West Penn Street location. The online auction will continue through February.

The historical society reached out to some of Crystal's friends, who are still in Long Beach, and his agent, requesting a donation for vital renovations and operational costs.

Karen Adamo, the group's co-president, told Patch that it took a few months for the auction to materialize.

"We were asking for five or six months," she said. It was originally planned for their October gala. But the items were received just two days before the event, so Adamo had to change the game plan.

The online auction was created but complicating the matter: They had no experience in going that route. They are working with CharityBuzz for the auction

Crystal surprised Adamo and others at the historical society by sending an autographed script of "When Harry Met Sally," in which he starred with Meg Ryan, and a signed copy of his memoir "700 Sundays," which was turned into his Tony Award-winning one-man play.

"We didn't know what he was going to donate," Adamo said. "We were thrilled."

There is also a framed photo of his one-eyed alter-ego from Monsters, Inc. (2001) and Monsters University (2013). Not only did Crystal sign that one, but he referenced his youth in the inscription: "I have Long Beach sand in my claws."

The in-person viewing is from 1-4 p.m. on Feb. 11.