‘Casablanca’ piano to auction for up to $1.2 mn

Sotheby’s says the auction in New York should raise between $800,000 and $1.2 million for the 58-key piano on which the movie’s character Sam plays “As Time Goes By” for Rick and Ilsa.

“Here’s lookin’ at you, kid,” Bogart’s Rick tells Bergman’s Ilsa as the three drink champagne at La Belle Aurore in Paris, while loudspeakers outside announce the approach of the invading German army.

The December 14 sale will mark the 70th anniversary of “Casablanca,” ranked by the American Film Institute as the most romantic and quotable movie of all time.

The Warner Bros movie won three Oscars in 1943 for Best Picture, Best Writing (Screenplay) and Best Director.

The piano was sold by Sotheby’s in 1988 to a Japanese collector.