As the curtain lowers on the 2022 auction year, there was one more sale featuring some of Hollywood memorabilia’s golden goodies that I am sure will bring back fond memories. Collectors vied for many of the most treasured costumes and props from all-time favorites. Highlighted memorabilia came from epic films, including The Wizard of Oz, The Ten Commandments, and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.
Hourglass
The top lot went to the hourglass belonging to the Wicked Witch of the West (played by Margaret Hamilton) in the 1939 production of the Wizard of Oz. But that was not the only film in which the hourglass appeared; it also found roles in Babes on Broadway (1941), Diane (1956), and 7 Faces of Dr. Lao (1964). The hourglass, almost two feet in height, was made of wood, paper-mâché, and handblown glass; it was decorated with gargoyles and filled with red glitter that matched the ruby-red shoes the witch was so desperate to have.
One of the most famous lines from the movie is when the Wicked Witch holds the hourglass up to Dorothy (played by Judy Garland) and says” “Do you see that [the hourglass]?” “That’s how much longer you’ve got to be alive! And it isn’t long, my pretty! It isn’t long! I can’t wait forever to get those shoes!” Well, bidding on the hourglass ran out of time as there was only one bid. It was estimated to sell for $600-900k, but bidding started and ended at $400K ($495K w/p).
Moses’ Robe
Taking the second spot in the Hollywood memorabilia sale was the robe worn by Moses (played by Charleston Heston) in The Ten Commandments (1956). The red, white, and black robe represents the iconic image of Moses bringing down the Ten Commandments from Mount Sinai and parting the Red Sea. Bidding started at $60K on the $100-150K estimate. As collectors competed, bidding climbed to $360k ($447K w/p).
And do you remember Ferris Bueller’s (played by Matthew Broderick) famous line in the movie? “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” Well, zooming in at the number three spot was a 1961 Ferrari GT Spyder prop, and while life moves pretty fast, this car could not move at all.
Ferrari
In the movie, the Ferrari crashes through a glass wall of the garage as it rolls backward and falls to the ground below. According to the auction house, the car was rebuilt as a display piece after the movie was produced. It was constructed from fiberglass and had all the finishes to resemble the real Ferrari, although there is no engine or drivetrain. It barely drove by the estimate of $160K – $240K when it sold for $270K ($337K w/p).
A few Hollywood memorabilia items deserve an honorable mention: Ursula Andress’s bikini from Dr. No swam into the fourth spot selling for $240K ($300K w/p). Mel Gibson’s sword from Braveheart made$220K ($275K w/p). And a modified version of Herbie from the movie Herbie Goes Bananas parked itself at $170 ($212.5K w/p).
As the New Year celebrations begin, maybe it’s time to watch an old classic and enjoy a quiet movie night with friends and family. Wishing everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year!