Profiles in History Auctions Net Over $7.5 Million
On December 17-19, 2019, Profiles in History hosted auctions of the John Azarian Collection and Hollywood: A Collector’s Ransom. Filled with Hollywood memorabilia and held in Los Angeles, the two auctions grossed over $7.5 million.
John Azarian spent over 30 years building his collection of mostly 1960s TV memorabilia. Leading this group were a Jupiter 2 miniature spaceship from Lost in Space that sold for $216,000. The Shakespeare bust from the 1966 Batman show, with gave access to the Batcave, grabbed $192,000. Lynda Carter’s signature costume from Wonder Woman lassoed $132,000.
A pair of Captain Kirk costume pieces worn by William Shatner in Star Trek were top sellers. His wraparound tunic hammered for $78,000 and his tunic from the alternate universe episode “Mirror, Mirror” realized $57,000.
A few of the more modern sales from X-Men included Ian McKellen’s Magneto costume and two helmets that realized $96,000 and Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine black leather battle suit on full-size display base sold for $66,000.
Additional highlights were Barbara Eden’s Jeannie costume from I Dream of Jeannie that brought $54,000, Henry Winkler’s Fonzie leather jacket from Happy Days grabbed a cool $54,000, and Lynda Carter’s Wonder Woman Aquanaut ensemble and golden lasso from Wonder Woman sold for $54,000.
The Hollywood: A Collector’s Ransom auction topper was Darth Vader’s helmet, face mask, and chest armor from The Empire Strikes Back with Lucasfilm Ltd. signed letter of authenticity from George Lucas that rose to $300,000. Another Star Wars lot was the Imperial Stormtrooper screen-used blaster from Return of the Jedi that went for $114,000.
Another high seller was the Zuni Hunter puppet from Trilogy of Terror that grabbed $204,000. Also exceeding the six-figure mark were Robert McCall’s original poster concept art for 2001: A Space Odyssey that sold for $132,000 and photographer J.B. Scott’s archive of over 1,750 photographs and over 1,750 negatives from the Golden Age of Hollywood that achieved $114,000.
Comic-based costumes and props were popular with bidders, including Bill Campbell’s Rocketeer costume with hero aluminum rocket pack that realized $97,000 and Lynda Carter’s Wonder Woman accessories sold for $96,000. Chris Evans’ Captain America distressed vibranium stunt shield from Captain America: The First Avenger brought $90,000 and Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man 3 production-made complete costume on display form snagged $78,000.
Fans of suave spies pushed Daniel Craig’s tuxedo he wore as James Bond in Spectre to $90,000 and Tom Cruise’s stunt SFX Triumph Speed Triple motorcycle from Mission: Impossible 2 to $72,000.
Other highlights were Stan Winston’s Small Soldiers original one of a kind production-used battle display for $96,000, the screen-used chariot that Charlton Heston used in Ben-Hur for $70,400, and Harrison Ford’s screen-matched fedora hat from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom for $66,000.