In Beverly Hills, a prestigious auction is set to offer some of the most iconic film props in movie history. Among the items being auctioned are the Rosebud sled from “Citizen Kane,” the knit cap worn by Macaulay Culkin in “Home Alone,” and a whip used by Harrison Ford in “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.” This Summer Entertainment Auction, slated for July 15-19 and organized by Heritage Auctions, promises a treasure trove of cinematic memorabilia that will capture the imagination of film enthusiasts and collectors.
The auction features a range of items, including sci-fi masterpieces from the “Star Wars” saga. Among these are filming miniatures used in the creation of Luke Skywalker’s X-wing starfighter for “The Empire Strikes Back” by Industrial Light & Magic, and the lightsabers wielded by Ewan McGregor’s Obi-Wan Kenobi and Hayden Christensen’s Anakin Skywalker in “Revenge of the Sith.” These collectibles highlight the craftsmanship and creativity that brought these legendary films to life.
The Rosebud sled holds particular significance as it plays a central role in Orson Welles’ 1941 classic “Citizen Kane.” Tycoon Charles Foster Kane’s final utterance in the film, “Rosebud,” is forever linked to this sled, making it a piece that transcends its function as a prop. Initially considered lost, the sled, one of three known to exist, was discovered by “Gremlins” director Joe Dante in 1984 at the former RKO Pictures lot. Though not a collector, Dante understood the sled’s historical importance and safeguarded it, even featuring it as an Easter egg in four of his own films.
Harrison Ford’s “Indiana Jones” whip adds an extra layer of intrigue. Ford presented it to then-Prince Charles at the 1989 UK premiere of “The Last Crusade.” It was later given as a gift to Princess Diana before reaching its current owner. Such items are not merely props but are seen as cultural icons that represent pivotal moments in Hollywood history, according to Joe Maddalena, Heritage’s executive vice president.
Additional noteworthy items include a blue velvet suit worn by Mike Myers as Austin Powers in “Goldmember” and a Citroën 2CV driven by Roger Moore as James Bond in “For Your Eyes Only,” a film that inspired Myers’ parody. The auction boasts more than just fictional relics, with essential artifacts from the personal collection of the legendary director Cecil B. DeMille also featured. One notable piece is a promotional pair of stone tablets from DeMille’s “The Ten Commandments,” which were fashioned from stone at Mount Sinai.