Later this month, an exemplary collection of screen-used film props, costumes, castings, and behind-the-scenes Hollywood memorabilia goes up for auction in London. I asked Brandon Alinger, one of the collectibles experts at Prop Store, which is running the auction, where all these goodies come from. “This is what we call our ‘multi-consignor’ sale,” Alinger said in an email. “The pieces have been sourced from a variety of different places, including private collectors, studios and production companies, industry personnel, and rental houses.” Alinger also says his team has thoroughly researched and authenticated each item—600 in total—so these gems are legit.
The live auction is on September 26 in London, but you can bid over the phone or online. You can see many of the props in person as well at London’s Odeon BFI IMAX. Take a look at some choice pieces from classic sci-fi, fantasy, and action movies below. Pricing in the catalog is in British pounds, but we’ve converted them to good ol’ American greenbacks here. A warning: prop collecting is a rich-people business, and the size of these numbers will make your eyes water.
Xenomorph egg, Aliens
This egg, laid by the queen in her hive at the end of the first Alien sequel, is made of fiberglass and hot glue. It was used in the movie, and even has burns from Ripley’s flamethrower. There’s no face-hugger inside, but maybe you can train your cat to sleep in it. Starting bid: $1,295.
Credit:
Prop Store
This egg, laid by the queen in her hive at the end of the first Alien sequel, is made of fiberglass and hot glue. It was used in the movie, and even has burns from Ripley’s flamethrower. There’s no face-hugger inside, but maybe you can train your cat to sleep in it. Starting bid: $1,295.
Marty McFly's 2015 Nike Shoes, Back To The Future Part II
Couldn’t score a pair of Hyperadapts? Pick up this pair of light-up Nikes worn by Michael J. Fox in the second BTTF film. These don’t self-lace, but Marty McFly walked around in them, and they’ve been partially restored so you can walk in them too. Starting bid: $16,195.
Credit:
Prop Store
Couldn’t score a pair of Hyperadapts? Pick up this pair of light-up Nikes worn by Michael J. Fox in the second BTTF film. These don’t self-lace, but Marty McFly walked around in them, and they’ve been partially restored so you can walk in them too. Starting bid: $16,195.
The Joker's Costume, Batman
The only really great Batman movie is Tim Burton’s adaptation from 1989. (For real, don’t @ me.) And the best thing about that flick was Jack Nicholson’s Joker. Now you can wear his costume and practice all the one-liners in your mirror. This set starts at $12,955, though the fedora and trenchcoat are being auctioned separately.
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Prop Store
The only really great Batman movie is Tim Burton’s adaptation from 1989. (For real, don’t @ me.) And the best thing about that flick was Jack Nicholson’s Joker. Now you can wear his costume and practice all the one-liners in your mirror. This set starts at $12,955, though the fedora and trenchcoat are being auctioned separately.
Contact Lenses, Bram Stoker's Dracula
Gary Oldman wore these in the Francis Ford Coppola’s 1992 update of the gothic horror classic. Pop them in before your morning meeting and see if anyone says anything. Starting bid: $1,296.
Credit:
Prop Store
Gary Oldman wore these in the Francis Ford Coppola’s 1992 update of the gothic horror classic. Pop them in before your morning meeting and see if anyone says anything. Starting bid: $1,296.
Conan's Atlantean Sword Production Master, Conan The Barbarian
Steel is strong, but fiberglass is stronger—especially when it’s molded into the shape of this sword. This isn’t the exact blade Arnold Schwarzenegger used on screen in the 1982 Conan film (it’s a casting made for camera tests) but it has all the same details as the real thing, including the skull hilt and Cimmerian script engravings. Starting bid: $5,181.
Credit:
Prop Store
Steel is strong, but fiberglass is stronger—especially when it’s molded into the shape of this sword. This isn’t the exact blade Arnold Schwarzenegger used on screen in the 1982 Conan film (it’s a casting made for camera tests) but it has all the same details as the real thing, including the skull hilt and Cimmerian script engravings. Starting bid: $5,181.
Fluffy Costume, Creepshow
This animatronic creature was made for George A. Romero’s 1982 anthology film, specifically for the segment that adapts Stephen King’s story about a creepy artifact from an Arctic expedition. Fluffy has been restored (his eyes even light up) and he comes with a display crate, which you should definitely ask your kids to open for you. Starting bid: $12,952.
Credit:
Prop Store
This animatronic creature was made for George A. Romero’s 1982 anthology film, specifically for the segment that adapts Stephen King’s story about a creepy artifact from an Arctic expedition. Fluffy has been restored (his eyes even light up) and he comes with a display crate, which you should definitely ask your kids to open for you. Starting bid: $12,952.
The Doctor's Panama Hat, Doctor Who
Sylvester McCoy wore this iconic headpiece as the seventh incarnation of the Doctor in the BBC original. Get one of those question-mark umbrellas, find a friend to dress as Ace, and you’re good to go. Starting bid: $5,181.
Credit:
Prop Store
Sylvester McCoy wore this iconic headpiece as the seventh incarnation of the Doctor in the BBC original. Get one of those question-mark umbrellas, find a friend to dress as Ace, and you’re good to go. Starting bid: $5,181.
Venkman's Jumpsuit, Ghostbusters
Bill Murray’s costume from the original. C’mon! Starting bid: $3,886.
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Prop Store
Bill Murray’s costume from the original. C’mon! Starting bid: $3,886.
Data's Trenchcoat, Goonies
Actor Ke Huy Quan wore this coat as he hammed it up in the 1985 action film. Cool backstory: the Goonies costume department raided the prop storage boxes for older film productions to source the patches sewn onto the jacket. Starting bid: $9,715.
Credit:
Prop Store
Actor Ke Huy Quan wore this coat as he hammed it up in the 1985 action film. Cool backstory: the Goonies costume department raided the prop storage boxes for older film productions to source the patches sewn onto the jacket. Starting bid: $9,715.
Peter "Star-Lord" Quill's Hero Helmet, Guardians Of The Galaxy
Chris Pratt’s devastatingly handsome face was obscured by this resin helmet throughout most of the 2014 blockbuster. I haven’t been able to make it all the way through this movie without falling asleep, but people tell me it’s good. Starting bid: $19,437.
Credit:
Prop Store
Chris Pratt’s devastatingly handsome face was obscured by this resin helmet throughout most of the 2014 blockbuster. I haven’t been able to make it all the way through this movie without falling asleep, but people tell me it’s good. Starting bid: $19,437.
Indiana Jones' Bullwhip, Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade
Pretty sweet, even if it is from one of the lesser films in the franchise. At least it’s not from Crystal Skull. Starting bid: $32,395.
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Prop Store
Pretty sweet, even if it is from one of the lesser films in the franchise. At least it’s not from Crystal Skull. Starting bid: $32,395.
James Bond's Gadget Phone, Tomorrow Never Dies
Before James Bond was cool, James Bond was Pierce Brosnan. He used this proto-smartphone on screen in the 1997 film to remote-control his BMW. Starting bid: $3,239.
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Prop Store
Before James Bond was cool, James Bond was Pierce Brosnan. He used this proto-smartphone on screen in the 1997 film to remote-control his BMW. Starting bid: $3,239.
Witch-King of Angmar's Crown, Lord Of The Rings
Scale the heights of Mordor-chic by donning the Nazgûl commander’s crown. Made of cast resin painted to look like corroding iron, it’s great for costume parties, power lunches, and casual ringwraithing. Starting bid: $12,957.
Credit:
Prop Store
Scale the heights of Mordor-chic by donning the Nazgûl commander’s crown. Made of cast resin painted to look like corroding iron, it’s great for costume parties, power lunches, and casual ringwraithing. Starting bid: $12,957.
Melissa Lewis' EVA Suit, The Martian
Yes, you could buy Matt Damon’s suit from the 2015 sci-fi hit. But wouldn’t you rather own the one worn by Jessica Chastain? Comes with a functioning sun visor and a GoPro mount. Starting bid: $7,773.
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Prop Store
Yes, you could buy Matt Damon’s suit from the 2015 sci-fi hit. But wouldn’t you rather own the one worn by Jessica Chastain? Comes with a functioning sun visor and a GoPro mount. Starting bid: $7,773.
Blue Mugwump Head Maquette, Naked Lunch
Fire up your Smith-Corona to mail in a bid on this piece from David Cronenberg’s 1991 creepfest. The reference Mugwump head is made from a sculpting compound that has decayed slightly over time, so it’s a little delicate. Try rubbing some bug powder on it. Starting bid: $971.
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Prop Store
Fire up your Smith-Corona to mail in a bid on this piece from David Cronenberg’s 1991 creepfest. The reference Mugwump head is made from a sculpting compound that has decayed slightly over time, so it’s a little delicate. Try rubbing some bug powder on it. Starting bid: $971.
Jules Winnfield's Wallet, Pulp Fiction
I can 100 percent guarantee that you know somebody who would consider committing armed robbery to own this leather billfold. One of five made for the 1993 movie. Starting bid: $12,956.
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Prop Store
I can 100 percent guarantee that you know somebody who would consider committing armed robbery to own this leather billfold. One of five made for the 1993 movie. Starting bid: $12,956.
Engineering Tunic, Star Trek
The engine room crew always looked sharp in red. This uniform is an original, worn on the set by actors in the 1960s TV series. Created for the third season of the show, it lacks the velour feel of the earlier Enterprise unis, but that shouldn’t stop you from slipping it on for Trek n’ Tacos night. Starting bid: $2,591.
Credit:
Prop Store
The engine room crew always looked sharp in red. This uniform is an original, worn on the set by actors in the 1960s TV series. Created for the third season of the show, it lacks the velour feel of the earlier Enterprise unis, but that shouldn’t stop you from slipping it on for Trek n’ Tacos night. Starting bid: $2,591.
High-Speed Empireflex Camera Designed and Built by ILM, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
Not a prop, but an important piece of Star Wars—and movie-making—history. This is a VistaVision camera, so it shoots 35mm film that’s been flipped onto its side to give the cinematographer a larger image area. Industrial Light and Magic crafted two of its own VistaVision cameras to shoot the 1980 Star Wars sequel. This is the one with a high-speed motor, which was used for sequences featuring miniatures. Starting bid: $129,540.
Credit:
Prop Store
Not a prop, but an important piece of Star Wars—and movie-making—history. This is a VistaVision camera, so it shoots 35mm film that’s been flipped onto its side to give the cinematographer a larger image area. Industrial Light and Magic crafted two of its own VistaVision cameras to shoot the 1980 Star Wars sequel. This is the one with a high-speed motor, which was used for sequences featuring miniatures. Starting bid: $129,540.
Fortress of Solitude Crystal, Superman
A clear resin crystal from the 1978 comic book adaptation. Clark used it to talk to daddy Marlon in the movie, so maybe put this on your desk as a reminder to call your parents. Starting bid: $1,296.
Credit:
Prop Store
A clear resin crystal from the 1978 comic book adaptation. Clark used it to talk to daddy Marlon in the movie, so maybe put this on your desk as a reminder to call your parents. Starting bid: $1,296.
Sark's Grid Costume, Tron
Now you can dress up like the worst piece of malware ever to grace the silver screen. This costume was worn by David Warner to portray Sark, the evil program in 1982’s Tron. It doesn’t glow red like it did in the movie (that was a special effect, you see) but really, what else are you going to wear on the game grid? Starting bid: $6,479
Credit:
Prop Store
Now you can dress up like the worst piece of malware ever to grace the silver screen. This costume was worn by David Warner to portray Sark, the evil program in 1982’s Tron. It doesn’t glow red like it did in the movie (that was a special effect, you see) but really, what else are you going to wear on the game grid? Starting bid: $6,479
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