$700 Estimate for Gene Hackman's Treatment for The Silence of the Lambs

An early treatment for Gene Hackman's planned movie adapation of The Silence of the Lambs features in Bonhams' The Gene Hackman Collection: 
A Life in Art, Part III
 auction which runs online until December 4.

With an estimate of $500-$700, the 1988 document is a 33-page typed script in binder, with an 18-page synopsis of the original novel by Thomas Harris. Hackman worked with Orion Pictures to adapt the nove- for film as a follow up to 1986's Manhunter which was also based on a Harris novel. Hackman was to be the director and star too, possible even as Hannibal Lecter but eventually decided not to go ahead with the project.

In addition to Hackman's own art collection, the auction also features:

• Hackman's personal art notebook and quotes on art (estimate: $500-$700)
• various lots comprising collections of art books from Hackman's personal library, including one of five Richard Avedon reference books (estimate: $500-$700)
• a group of books written by Hackman including Wake of the Perdido Star (New York, Newmarket Press, 1999), Justice for None (New York, St. Martin's Press, 2004) and Escape from Andersonville (New York ,St. Martin's Press, 2008), all with an inscription from him to his wife Betsy (estimate: $200-$300)