A bullwhip used by Harrison Ford in "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" fetched a staggering $525,000 at a recent auction. The sale occurred a day after the "Rosebud" sled from Orson Welles’ "Citizen Kane" went for $14.75 million. Both iconic movie props were part of Heritage Auctions' Summer Entertainment Auction.
The "Rosebud" sled's $14.75 million price tag makes it the second-highest amount ever paid for a piece of movie memorabilia. The highest was a pair of ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in "The Wizard of Oz," which went for $32.5 million in December 2024.
Joe Dante, director of "Gremlins," owned the "Citizen Kane" sled since 1984. He acquired it when a crew member clearing out a section of the Paramount Pictures lot, which RKO Pictures formerly owned, offered it to him. Dante included the sled in cameo appearances in his films "Explorers," "The 'Burbs," "Gremlins 2: The New Batch," and an episode of "Eerie, Indiana". The anonymous buyer now owns a piece of film history.
According to Joe Maddalena, Executive Vice President at Heritage Auctions, the nearly $15 million bid for the Rosebud sled puts it second only to the $32.5 million that Judy Garland's ruby slippers from “The Wizard of Oz” fetched in December.
The whip that sold on Thursday was used during the Holy Grail trials that Ford's character goes through at the climax of 1989's "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade". Ford gifted the whip to then-Prince Charles at the film's U.K. premiere. Prince Charles then gave it to Princess Diana, who passed it on to the most recent, unidentified owner. The buyer of the whip also remains anonymous.
Joe Maddalena said that the bullwhip is the iconic symbol of an iconic character of cinema history, Indiana Jones, and has been a highlight of this auction. The $525,000 price includes the "buyers premium" attached to all auction items for the house that sells it.
Heritage Auctions says the overall take has made it the second-highest-grossing entertainment auction of all time. Other items that were up for bids included Macaulay Culkin's knit snow cap from "Home Alone," a Kurt Russell revolver from "Wyatt Earp," a pair of "Hattori Hanzo" prop swords from "Kill Bill Vol. 1," and a first edition set of Harry Potter novels signed by J.K. Rowling.
These sales reflect the enduring appeal and value of Hollywood memorabilia. Iconic props from classic films continue to command high prices at auction, attracting collectors and fans alike.
