A life of writing and ocean conservation
Peter Benchley’s collection, an ocean legacy
An October 29 auction offers a personal glimpse into the life of the author of Jaws, benefiting Beneath the Sea and WildAid.
Peter Benchley gave the world one of its most recognizable shark stories. His own story reached far beyond Jaws: he was a journalist, a White House speechwriter, a diver and a conservationist who spent much of his later life helping people understand the ocean and its wildlife.
On Thursday, October 29, 2026, Willow Auction House in Lincoln Park, New Jersey, will offer The Peter Benchley Collection: Jaws, A Life of Writing, A Legacy of Stories. Nearly 300 lots bring together objects from his working life, his travels and his fascination with the sea.
Wendy Benchley has chosen the auction to benefit Beneath the Sea and WildAid. We are grateful for this support and for the opportunity to share a legacy rooted in ocean education, exploration and conservation.
Objects that tell a life story
For readers and film enthusiasts, the collection includes Jaws production photographs, a 1975 movie poster and a Jaws T-shirt given to Benchley by Steven Spielberg. His typewriters, books and research materials reveal something of the work behind the stories.
Other objects trace the chapters before and beyond Jaws. Photographs and personal mementos recall his years as a speechwriter for President Lyndon B. Johnson. Maritime paintings, maps and historical documents reflect the interests of a traveler and collector.
His diving equipment offers a different kind of connection. A wetsuit and other personal gear bring the collection back to the sea that Benchley knew through direct experience.
A voice for the ocean
Benchley became concerned about the fear of sharks associated with Jaws. Through books, documentaries and public appearances, he worked to build understanding of marine life and support its protection.
In his own account of his life, written in 2005, he described an interest in sharks that began during childhood summers on Nantucket and continued through decades of writing and diving. By then, marine conservation had become his full-time work.
The auction offers a chance to look beyond the familiar title and see the many interests and experiences behind it. It also supports two organizations whose work connects people with the need to protect wildlife and the ocean.
Willow Auction House · October 29, 2026
See the collection
The auction will take place in Lincoln Park, New Jersey, with online bidding available. In-person previews are by appointment. The catalogue includes lot descriptions, estimates and participation details.
View the auction catalogueAuction arrangements and bidding are handled by Willow Auction House.