Dallas, TX -- A painting described as the Holy Grail for collectors of horror movie memorabilia is about to go up for auction in Dallas.

The 1930s-era oil painting pictures "Dracula" actor Bela Lugosi -- but instead of fangs and a cloak, he's wearing a gray, Edwardian-style suit and carrying a bowler hat in his hand.

According to movie poster expert Grey Smith of Heritage Galleries, the dapper image hung in Lugosi's Los Angeles home until his death in 1956, and pictured the actor the way he wished to be seen in Hollywood, rather than as a sinister vampire.

The current owner bought the painting from Lugosi's widow in the 1970s and Smith says when his firm acquired it, it was covered in nicotine from Lugosi's smoking habit.

Heritage Galleries expects the Lugosi painting to fetch more than $80,000 when it goes up for sale Saturday (Jul. 17).

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