The whip famously wielded by Harrison Ford in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and once owned by Princess Diana has sold at auction for an impressive $525,000 (€452,000). This sale occurred amid a flurry of high-profile auctions, including the record-breaking sale of the “Rosebud” sled from Citizen Kane.
After the filming of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade concluded, Ford presented the whip as a gift to then-Prince Charles at the film’s UK premiere in 1989. The whip was subsequently given to Princess Diana, who later passed it on to its current, unidentified owner. Joe Maddalena, Heritage’s executive vice president, remarked,
“The bullwhip is the iconic symbol of an iconic character of cinema history, Indiana Jones, and has been a highlight of this auction.”
Historic Auction Highlights
The sale of the Indiana Jones whip follows the extraordinary auction of the “Rosebud” sled from Orson Welles’ 1941 classic Citizen Kane. The sled was sold for a staggering $14.75 million (€12.7m), making it one of the most expensive movie props ever sold, second only to Judy Garland’s ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz, which fetched $32.5 million in December.
Joe Dante, the director of Gremlins, had been the longtime owner of the sled. He discovered it in 1984 while filming on the former RKO Pictures lot. Though not a collector, Dante recognized the sled’s value and preserved it for decades, even featuring it as an Easter egg in four of his films. Notably, Steven Spielberg, Dante’s friend and mentor, purchased another of the sleds for $60,500 in 1982, and a third sled was sold to an anonymous buyer for $233,000 in 1996.
Significance of “Rosebud”
The “Rosebud” sled holds a special place in cinematic history. In Citizen Kane, “Rosebud” is the enigmatic last word uttered by the title character, and the search for its meaning drives the film’s narrative. The film is often hailed by critics as one of the greatest ever made, adding to the sled’s allure and value.
Long thought lost, the sled is one of only three known to have survived. Its sale has captivated movie enthusiasts and collectors alike, contributing significantly to the success of Heritage Auctions’ Summer Entertainment Auction.
Record-Breaking Auction
Both the Indiana Jones whip and the Citizen Kane sled were part of a larger auction event held by Heritage Auctions, which has already become the second-highest grossing entertainment auction of all time, with one day remaining. The auction has drawn attention not only for its high-profile items but also for the breadth of its offerings.
Still to be auctioned are Macaulay Culkin’s knit snow cap from Home Alone, 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 items continue to attract significant interest from collectors and fans.
Implications for the Collectibles Market
The sale of these iconic movie props underscores the enduring appeal of film memorabilia and its increasing value in the collectibles market. As more high-profile items come to auction, the market is expected to grow, driven by nostalgia and the cultural significance of these artifacts.
According to industry experts, the trend of record-breaking sales is likely to continue, as collectors seek to own a piece of cinematic history. The success of Heritage Auctions’ event highlights the strong demand for unique and culturally significant items, suggesting a robust future for the entertainment memorabilia market.
As the auction concludes, the anticipation builds for future events, with collectors eagerly awaiting the next opportunity to acquire a piece of film history. The sales of the Indiana Jones whip and Citizen Kane sled have set a high bar, and the collectibles market watches closely to see what will follow.
