Chest Armor from ‘Gladiator’
“I am a slave! What possible difference can I make!” For a mere gladiator, Russell Crowe sure had some expensive digs. The armor he wore while defeating a maniacal emperor in the 2000 film went up for auction on July 28, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. The prop was expected to go from anywhere between $ 15,000 and $ 20,000, but it actually far-exceed expectations, <a href=”http://articles.nydailynews.com/2012-07-30/news/32946301_1_chewbacca-wookiee-superman-costume”>the chest armor sold for a whopping $ 58,425</a>.
“Superman” Costume
It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s a really expensive costume! The legendary Superman outfit, originally worn by Christopher Reeve in the 1978 film “Superman: The Movie,” was expected to yield between $ 60,000 and $ 80,000. The costume <a href=”http://articles.nydailynews.com/2012-07-30/news/32946301_1_chewbacca-wookiee-superman-costume”>ended up selling for $ 79,950</a>.
“Chewbacca” head from “Star Wars”
In July, a Chewbacca headpiece, which was worn in the original “Star Wars” trilogy, went up for sale at the Treasures from the Hollywood Vaults auction. Worn by Peter Mayhew, the costume was estimated to sell for $ 60,000-$ 80,000. But “Star Wars” fandom took that figure to a galaxy far, far away. The <a href=”http://laughingsquid.com/chewbaccas-head-sells-for-172k-at-movie-memorabilia-auction/”>winning bid was</a> $ 172,000.
Charlie Chaplin’s Cane
There are few props more iconic than that of a Charlie Chaplin’s bamboo cane. The silent film star’s accessory was sold £47,800 ($ 92,000) to a private US buyer at a London auction.
Marilyn Monroes Shocking Pink Dress
Marilyn Monroe donned the bright pink frock in 1953’s “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” and achieved instant fame. On June 11, 2010, a lucky lady took home the dress <a href=”http://www.smashinglists.com/top-ten-most-expensive-hollywood-auctions/”>for the bargain price of $ 310,000</a>.
Elizabeth Taylor’s Cleopatra wig
It’s not surprise that “Cleopatra,” the most financially draining film ever, would have more than a few pricey props. Elizabeth Taylor’s iconic wig, which she wore in the 1963 production, went on auction after the actress’ death in 2011. Made of human hair and accented with gold coils, beads and braids, the wig was expected to fetch $ 11,000 but <a href=”http://www.contactmusic.com/news/taylors-cleopatra-wig-sells-at-auction_1275459″>ended up selling for $ 16,000</a>.
Audrey Hepburn’s dress in ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s”
The dress made famous by Audrey Hepburn in the big screen adaptation of “Breakfast at Tiffanys” is perhaps the most lusted-after costume to date. Besigned by — who else — Hubert de Givenchy, <a href=”http://www.luxurylaunches.com/auctions/most_expensive_movie_props_sold_at_auctions.php”>the gown went for $ 923,200</a>. (Holy Golightly!)
Darth Vader Helmut from ‘The Empire Strikes Back’
Another iconic “Star Wars” head — unsurprisingly — tops our costume list. This time it’s the Darth Vader helmet, worn by Olympic fencing champion Bob Anderson during the fight sequences in Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back. In April 2003, <a href=”http://www.flavorwire.com/102155/the-10-most-expensive-pieces-of-celebrity-memorabilia#1″>the famous headpiece sold for $ 115,000</a>.
White Gingham Dress from ‘The Wizard of Oz’
We’re definitely not in Kansas anymore. Judy Garland’s iconic blue and white gingham pinafore dress, which she wore for 1939’s “The Wizard of Oz” was acquired by costume collector Debbie Reynolds and <a href=”http://www.bornrich.com/entry/expensive-celebrity-memorabilia/”>was auctioned off for $ 910,000</a>.
Marilyn Monroe’s ‘The Seven Year Itch’ Dress
Marilyn Monroe’s famous wind-swept number originally wow-ed audiences with the 1955 release of “The Seven Year Itch.” When the dress went up for auction in 2011 it broke all records — <a href=”http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/media/2011-06-20-marilyn-monroe-dress-auction_n.htm”>with the final bid coming in at $ 4.6 million</a> — and is now the most expensive dress ever.
Steve McQueen’s ‘Le Mans’ Racing Suit
Before Ryan Gosling’s scorpion-emblazoned “Drive” jacket, Steve McQueen’s white suit ruled the road. Worn during 1971’s “Le Mans,” the jacket was designed by Hinchman of Indianapolis and was auctioned at Profiles in History <a href=”http://www.bornrich.com/entry/expensive-celebrity-memorabilia/”>auction for $ 984,000</a>.
Ruby Slippers from ‘The Wizard of Oz’
Called the Holy Grail of celebrity props, The Ruby Slippers worn by Judy Garland in “The Wizard of Oz” went up for auction in May 2012. There were four sets of the red heels made for the 1939 production — one of which remains at the Smithsonian and another which was stolen from the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. At a 2011 auction, <a href=”http://z6mag.com/featured/judy-garlands-ruby-slippers-sold-for-2-million-169680.html”>these particular slippers went for $ 2 million</a>.
Gun from ‘Blade Runner’
At 2009, Harrison Ford’s weapon from Ridley Scott’s cult classic “Blade Runner” went up for auction. The price tag for the prop was originally estimated at $ 100,000 to $ 150,000. But the futuristic pistol <a href=”http://blastr.com/2009/05/blade-runner-gun-auctione.php”>ended up selling for $ 270,000</a>.
Lightsaber from ‘Star Wars’
For “Star Wars” fans, the lightsaber is the ultimate collector’s item. In 2005, the weapon wielded by Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) in the first two “Star Wars” <a href=”http://www.newsarama.com/film/ap-081212-lightsaber-auction.html”>was auctioned for $ 240,000</a>.
