Bob Hope's personal items to be auctioned

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Bob Hope's golf clubs and a letter from Bette Davis are among hundreds of personal items to be sold at auction in October, Julien's Auctions said on Monday.

More than 700 lots belonging to the legendary entertainer and avid golfer will be sold at a televised and online auction in Los Angeles.

Hope, who died in July 2003 at the age of 100, was born in England but his family moved to the United States when he was four. His career spanned vaudeville, stage, radio, television and film and he entertained troops around the world in four major wars.

Highlights include Hope's complete set of golf clubs, his personal 24 carat gold-plated golf tees, a letter from actress Bette Davis, one from President Ronald Reagan and a set of knives and forks once owned by Britain's Queen Elizabeth.

Some of the items will travel across the Atlantic to England on the Queen Mary 2 and be displayed on board ship. They will then be exhibited at a museum in County Kildare, Ireland in September before returning to the United States.

Auctioneer Darren Julien said the exact sale date in October has yet to be fixed. Proceeds will go to charities supported by Hope in his lifetime.

(Reporting by Jill Serjeant)