Iconic Rosebud Sled from Citizen Kane Fetches £11 Million at Auction

In a remarkable event highlighting the enduring legacy of classic cinema, the iconic sled from Orson Welles's 1941 masterpiece, *Citizen Kane*, has been auctioned for an astonishing £11 million ($14.75 million). This sale positions the sled as the second most valuable piece of movie memorabilia ever sold, just behind the recent auction of the ruby slippers from the 1939 film *The Wizard of Oz*, which fetched $32.5 million (£24.2 million) in December 2024.

The sled, known for its pivotal role in the film's narrative, was sold by director Joe Dante, who received it in 1984 during a studio clearout while working on the film *Explorers* at Paramount, the former home of RKO Pictures. Dante recounted, “One of the crew who knew I was a fan of vintage films came to me with a wood prop and said, ‘They’re throwing out all of this stuff. You might want this.’” He expressed his surprise at the find, stating, “I was astonished. Since I am a huge fan of the movie, I said, ‘Yeah, I’ll be glad to take it.’”

The sled is constructed primarily of pine hardwood, showcasing its original paint, albeit with noticeable wear and some missing rails, likely due to wartime scrap metal drives. In his statement released by Heritage Auctions, Dante remarked, “I’ve had the honour of protecting this piece of cinematic history for decades. To see Rosebud find a new home – and make history in the process – is both surreal and deeply gratifying. It’s a testament to the enduring power of storytelling.”

Dante has featured the sled in several of his projects, including *Explorers*, *The Burbs*, and the *Gremlins 2: The New Batch*. The exact number of sleds created for *Citizen Kane* remains unclear; however, Heritage Auctions noted that a “few” were produced. One sled was sold to filmmaker Steven Spielberg in 1982 for $60,500 (£45,150), and another was purchased by an anonymous buyer for $233,000 (£174,000) in 1996.

The recent auction also included notable items such as a filming miniature X-wing from *The Empire Strikes Back*, Indiana Jones's bullwhip, and a green velvet suit worn by Austin Powers. Additionally, a nude photo of Marilyn Monroe, armor from *Ben-Hur*, and a Ralph Lauren blazer owned by Audrey Hepburn were among the offerings.

Joe Maddalena, Executive Vice President of Heritage Auctions, described the event as “one of the most important events in entertainment auction history.” He emphasized the significance of such items, stating, “These aren’t just props. They’re mythic objects. They tell the story of Hollywood’s greatest moments, one piece at a time, each tied to a memory, a performance, a legend.”

As cinema continues to evolve, the sale of such memorabilia underscores not only the cultural impact of films like *Citizen Kane* but also the market's increasing recognition of their value. The enduring fascination with these artifacts reflects a broader appreciation for the storytelling and artistry that define Hollywood's cinematic legacy.

This auction serves as a reminder of how cinematic history is preserved not just in film but also in the tangible artifacts that contribute to our understanding of film as an art form.