The Rosebud sled, a significant artifact from the classic film Citizen Kane, has been sold at auction for a staggering $14.75 million (£11 million). This wooden sled is one of the few remaining from the film and was thought lost before being saved from destruction by director Joe Dante in 1984. Dante, who recognized its importance, has since used it as an Easter egg in other films, including Gremlins 2: The New Batch. This sale marks the sled as the second most expensive piece of movie memorabilia ever sold, with the previously sold ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz holding the top spot at $32 million.
Joe Maddalena of Heritage Auctions emphasized the cultural significance of the Rosebud sled, placing it in the pantheon of Hollywood's most iconic objects alongside Dorothy's slippers. While the buyer's identity remains undisclosed, it's known that the specific sled sold recently had not been seen in years until Dante obtained it during the production of Explorers, when a crew member offered it to him while clearing out vintage film storage.
Dante, an ardent admirer of Citizen Kane, expressed his astonishment at acquiring such a crucial symbol of cinematic history, stating, "Citizen Kane may be the greatest film ever made." The sled, crucial to the film's plot and symbolizing the mysterious drama surrounding the protagonist Kane's life, holds a special place in the hearts of film lovers and historians alike.
As the film industry continues to auction off significant memorabilia, the Rosebud sled stands as a testament to the enduring power of storytelling and the artifacts that continue to connect audiences to cinematic masterpieces.
Joe Maddalena of Heritage Auctions emphasized the cultural significance of the Rosebud sled, placing it in the pantheon of Hollywood's most iconic objects alongside Dorothy's slippers. While the buyer's identity remains undisclosed, it's known that the specific sled sold recently had not been seen in years until Dante obtained it during the production of Explorers, when a crew member offered it to him while clearing out vintage film storage.
Dante, an ardent admirer of Citizen Kane, expressed his astonishment at acquiring such a crucial symbol of cinematic history, stating, "Citizen Kane may be the greatest film ever made." The sled, crucial to the film's plot and symbolizing the mysterious drama surrounding the protagonist Kane's life, holds a special place in the hearts of film lovers and historians alike.
As the film industry continues to auction off significant memorabilia, the Rosebud sled stands as a testament to the enduring power of storytelling and the artifacts that continue to connect audiences to cinematic masterpieces.
