WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif.  —  Collectors took advantage of a rare opportunity Saturday when Barbra Streisand (search) put hundreds of items from her films and personal life on auction to benefit several charities.

The collection included everything from gowns Streisand designed and wore in movies and concert appearances to her prescription eyeglasses and customized 1986 Ford mobile home van.

"I'm just here to get as many beautiful things as I can get," said Kathryn Philpott-Hill, a dentist who traveled from North Carolina to attend the auction.

In all, the 421 items up for auction were worth an estimated $600,000, said Darren Julien of Julien Entertainment, which organized the event.

Philpott-Hill offered $23,000 for a satin shirt Streisand wore on "The Judy Garland Show" (search) in 1963, but was outbid by an Internet buyer.

Helping Streisand's charity also was important to Philpott-Hill, who purchased several items, including a rhinestone-covered gold silk and chiffon gown Streisand wore to the premiere of "Funny Girl" for $5,250.

"As much as I love collecting, I have an even deeper commitment to the support of good causes I've been able to provide through the Streisand Foundation, the beneficiary of this event," Streisand wrote in a letter to participants.

Proceeds will go to the Streisand Foundation (search), which helps promote civil liberties, democratic values, women's issues, AIDS research and other causes.

About 100 people attended the auction at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood. Also, bidders were able to participate online at www.JulienEntertainment.com.