Movie memorabilia market - 2013 auction review

A number of iconic pieces of movie memorabilia were consigned this year, with many performing superbly against their estimates - in particular Gene Kelly's suit from Singin' in the Rain. Classic films provided the top lots in 2014, with the $4m sale of the original Maltese Falcon statuette in November capping an exceptional year.

Top movie memorabilia sale of 2013

Maltese Falcon statuette bonhams
The Maltese Falcon statuette is among the most iconic film props of all time

  • The biggest selling item this year by a large margin was the iconic Maltese Falcon statuette from the 1941 film of the same name, which achieved $4m in November. It is one of two known examples, but the only one confirmed by Warner Brothers to have appeared onscreen.

2013's important movie memorabilia sales

James Bond submarine car
The Lotus Elise submarine car was originally bought in a blind auction in New York

  • In April, a laser rifle prop used by William Shatner in the second episode of the original series of Star Trek achieved $231,000.
  • A collection of costumes worn by Julie Andrews as Maria in the Sound of Music realised $1.3m in July. The lot also included outfits worn by other members of the Von Trapp family.
  • A Walther PPK airgun used in a number of publicity shots for the James Bond series in the 1960s made $330,000 in July - achieving a 1,036% increase on a $20,000 estimate.
  • A one of a kind Frankenstein insert poster hammered for $262,900 in July.
  • The 1940 Buick Phaeton 81C convertible from Casablanca sold in the same sale as the Maltese Falcon statuette in November, achieving $461,000.
    Han Solo DL-44 Blaster
    The Harrison Ford-used Star Wars blaster was probably also employed by Mark Hamill in a number of scenes
  • The white Lotus Esprit that transforms into a submarine in classic Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me sold for $861,767 in September.
  • The blaster pistol used by Harrison Ford in his role as Han Solo in the Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi sold for $200,000 in December.  

It was a breakout year for…

  • The suit worn by Gene Kelly in Singin in the Rain achieved a 431% increase on an estimate of $20,000 to make $106,250 in December. Incredibly the suit was originally bought for $10 in 1970.

It was a year to forget for…

  • A Dorothy dress worn by Judy Garland in test shots for The Wizard of Oz, valued at $300,000, failed to sell at Profiles in History in December.

One you may have missed…

Star Wars Palitoy vinyl cape Jawa
Palitoy, a British company, created the earliest merchandise for the films

 

 

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