A COLLECTION of photographs of some of Hollywood’s biggest stars will be sold at auction after being unveiled for the first time.

The unseen images of celebrities from the golden age of Hollywood were all taken by the late George Ruff, a former Cunard cruise ship photographer who was from Hove.

Fascinating autographs and pictures featuring famous faces, including Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, have now been revealed publicly.

The celebrities in the collection of some 50 pictures are among the stars who took a shine to Mr Ruff, who worked in first class on Cunard cruise ships the RMS Mauretania, RMS Queen Mary and the QE2 for about 20 years during the 1950s, 1960s and early 1970s.

Mr Ruff’s nephew, retired police officer Robert Vercesi, 72, from Walsall, who is selling the collection, said: “My uncle told me a lovely story about Deborah Kerr. Apparently she was a delightful lady and, though she was a huge star, she took a liking to George.

“One day she took him to one side and said, ‘I’m having drinks in my suite at 8pm and I’d like you to come along’.

“When he knocked on her cabin door she took him by the arm and introduced him to all her friends as ‘my friend George’.”

The rare collection, showing glamorous movie icons relaxing on holiday, will be sold by Hansons Auctioneers in Derbyshire on September 30.

The images, many of them signed, also include Bette Davis, Buster Keaton, Rosalind Russell, Anthony Quinn, Victor Mature, Dorothy Lamour, Karl Malden, Phil Silvers, Deborah Kerr and British comedy legends Morecambe and Wise.

Mr Ruff, who died just before his 80th birthday in 2001, lived his whole life in Hove.

He began his career taking pictures of people on Brighton Palace Pier.

During a voyage on the Queen Mary, George enjoyed a drink with Robert Mitchum, star of Cape Fear and regarded as one of Hollywood’s finest actors.

Afterwards, the actor wrote the message “George, we may not last the trip!” on a photo of himself for his drinking partner.

Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons Auctioneers, said: “The photos capture the sophistication of an era long gone. They are utterly fascinating.

“We have put a conservative estimate of £350 to £450 on these pictures but they could fetch far more.”

Mr Vercesi said: “He did have an amazing life. He was married to Marion, my mother Olive’s sister. Marion was a dancer. George and Marion were extras in Oh! What a Lovely War, a film directed by Richard Attenborough and shot in Brighton in 1969.”