This auction showcases the enduring allure of iconic film artifacts, with the sled's rich history capturing the fascination of collectors worldwide.
**Iconic Rosebud Sled from Citizen Kane Fetches Nearly $15 Million at Auction**
**Iconic Rosebud Sled from Citizen Kane Fetches Nearly $15 Million at Auction**
A pivotal piece of cinematic history, the Rosebud sled has sold for an impressive $14.75 million.
The coveted wooden sled, known from the illustrious opening of the film Citizen Kane, has been sold for a staggering $14.75 million (£11 million) at auction, making it the second most expensive film prop ever sold. This particular sled, one of at least three that are known to still exist, was once feared lost but was saved from destruction when director Joe Dante came into possession of it in 1984. Dante later made notable references to the sled in movies like Gremlins 2, yet the sled's journey did not end there.
"It's right up there with Dorothy's ruby slippers as one of Hollywood’s most iconic objects," remarked Joe Maddalena, Executive Vice President at Heritage Auctions, which managed the auction. Despite the item’s high profile, the identity of its new owner remains a mystery.
The sled is emblematic of the profound narrative in Citizen Kane, released in 1941, where the name 'Rosebud' is pivotal to the character's enigmatic life story. Other replicas of the sled, including one acquired by Steven Spielberg, who donated it to the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles, highlight the artifact's significance in film archival history.
Dante recounted how he stumbled upon the sled while filming Explorers at the historic RKO Radio Pictures studio, where Citizen Kane was produced. A colleague, aware of Dante's affinity for classic films, offered it to him, a moment he described as astonishing, reflecting his admiration for the film's legacy.
"The sled represents the heart of the story," Dante commented. "As a director, owning such a vital element of cinema is incredibly meaningful." Alongside the sale of the sled, other notable props that have garnered attention include a violin from Titanic, recently listed for sale, and the renowned ruby slippers, which sold for $28 million at auction, underscoring the escalating value of cinematic memorabilia.
"It's right up there with Dorothy's ruby slippers as one of Hollywood’s most iconic objects," remarked Joe Maddalena, Executive Vice President at Heritage Auctions, which managed the auction. Despite the item’s high profile, the identity of its new owner remains a mystery.
The sled is emblematic of the profound narrative in Citizen Kane, released in 1941, where the name 'Rosebud' is pivotal to the character's enigmatic life story. Other replicas of the sled, including one acquired by Steven Spielberg, who donated it to the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles, highlight the artifact's significance in film archival history.
Dante recounted how he stumbled upon the sled while filming Explorers at the historic RKO Radio Pictures studio, where Citizen Kane was produced. A colleague, aware of Dante's affinity for classic films, offered it to him, a moment he described as astonishing, reflecting his admiration for the film's legacy.
"The sled represents the heart of the story," Dante commented. "As a director, owning such a vital element of cinema is incredibly meaningful." Alongside the sale of the sled, other notable props that have garnered attention include a violin from Titanic, recently listed for sale, and the renowned ruby slippers, which sold for $28 million at auction, underscoring the escalating value of cinematic memorabilia.
