The famous prop sled, Rosebud, from the iconic film Citizen Kane has been sold at auction for an astonishing $14.75 million (£11 million). Once thought to have been lost to time, this vital piece of cinematic history re-emerged having been given to director Joe Dante in 1984, thus averting its destruction. Over the years, Dante has included the sled as a tribute in several of his own films, most notably in Gremlins 2: The New Batch.
Joe Maddalena, executive vice president at Heritage Auctions, emphasized the importance of the Rosebud sled alongside the ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz, noting that both items hold iconic status in Hollywood memorabilia. This transaction now ranks as the second most expensive piece of film memorabilia sold, with the ruby slippers previously fetching a staggering $32 million (£23.9 million) back in December.
The sled’s significance is closely tied to the plot of Citizen Kane, where the name "Rosebud" serves as a crucial narrative twist. Other sleds from the film have previously changed hands, including one acquired by filmmaker Steven Spielberg, who generously donated it to the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles.
Dante recounted the serendipitous moment when he learned of the sled while working on his 1984 film Explorers, on a lot that used to belong to RKO Radio Pictures—the same studio that produced Citizen Kane. Grateful for the chance to preserve such a vital cinematic artifact, Dante remembered his astonishment when a crew member offered it to him.
He stated, "Since I am a huge fan of the movie, I said, 'Yeah, I'll be glad to take it,'" demonstrating the depth of his connection to the film and its legacy. "As a director, to own the prop that represents such a vital element of a cinema treasure is particularly meaningful." The recent sale underscores the enduring allure and historical relevance of film artifacts in popular culture, as collectors and enthusiasts continue to place immense value on these tokens of cinematic history.
