List of most valuable celebrity memorabilia

The following is a list of most valuable celebrity memorabilia (or most expensive celebrities items auctioned) sold with an auction price of over $USD 1.5 million by individual items and over $USD 15 million by event. It includes personal belongings of public figures such as music artists, actors, athletes, models and socialites, and encompass any collectibles items sold at auction, from jewelry, musical instruments to manuscripts and famous costumes worn in events or projects.

The list does not include film props such as Robby the Robot and Batmobile, sport cards, auctioned musical instruments by manufacturers, or expensive things bought by, and, collectibles purchases made by a celebrity.

As of 2025, the Ruby slippers of Dorothy Gale by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz remains both the most expensive item of entertainment memorabilia ever sold, and in film history, at over $28 million.[1] The most valued sports collectible item, and second overall, belongs to Babe Ruth's jersey for the 1932 World Series, sold with an auction price of $24 million.

Most expensive items

Key
‡ Current record holder for the category

Individual items

Purchase price Celebrity or item Type Date of sale Seller Buyer Namesake or item photo Ref.
$28 million[a] Ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland (as Dorothy Gale) Shoes 2024 Heritage Auctions E-Land Group [3]
$24.1 million Babe Ruth's 1932 World Series jersey Sportswear 2024 Heritage Auctions N/a [4]
$17.8 million Paul Newman's Rolex Daytona Watch 2017 Phillips Auction N/a [5]
$10.1 million Michael Jordan's 1998 NBA Finals jersey Sportswear 2023 Sotheby's N/a [6]
$9.3 million Diego Maradona's "Hand of God" 1986 World Cup jersey Sportswear 2022 Sotheby's N/a [6][7]
$8.8 million Elizabeth Taylor Diamond Jewelry 2011 Christie's N/a [8]
$6 million Kurt Cobain's 1959 Martin D-18E Guitar Musical instrument 2020 Julien's Auctions N/a [9]
$5.64 million Babe Ruth's 1928-1930 New York Yankees jersey Sportswear 2019 Sotheby's N/a [7]
$5.6 million White dress of Marilyn Monroe Dress 2011 Profiles in History N/a [10]
$5.1 million Marlon Brando's Rolex GMT-Master Watch 2023 Phillips Auction N/a [11]
$4.8 million Marilyn Monroe's Happy Birthday, Mr. President dress Dress 2016 Julien's Auctions Jim Pattison [12]
$4.5 million Audrey Hepburn's My Fair Lady dress Dress 2011 Profiles in History N/a [10]
$4.5 million Kurt Cobain's Blue Fender Mustang Musical instrument 2022 Julien's Auctions N/a [13]
$4.2 million Elizabeth Taylor's Mike Todd Tiara Jewelry 2011 Christie's N/a [14]
$3.95 million David Gilmour's The Black Strat Musical instrument 2019 Christie's Jim Irsay [15]
$3.932 million Eddie Van Halen's Kramer Guitars Musical instrument 2023 Sotheby's N/a [16]
$3 million Mark McGwire's 70th-home-run baseball Sport memorabilia 1999 Guernsey's Todd McFarlane [17][18]
$2.93 million Hat worn by Margaret Hamilton (as Wicked Witch of the West) Clothing 2024 Heritage Auctions N/a [2]
$2.85 million John Lennon's Framus Hootenanny Musical instrument 2024 Julien's Auctions N/a [19]
$2.4 million John Lennon's Gibson J-160E Musical instrument 2014 Julien's Auctions Anonymous [20]
$2.1 million The Beatles's Drumhead Musical instrument 2015 Julien's Auctions Jim Irsay [21]
$2.045 million "Like a Rolling Stone" by Bob Dylan ‡ Music manuscript 2014 Sotheby's N/a [22]
$1.9 million Jerry Garcia's Wolf Guitar Musical instrument 2017 Guernsey's Brian Halligan [23]
$1.8 million Michael Jackson's Thriller jacket Clothing 2011 Julien's Auctions Milton Verret [24]
$1.8 million David Gilmour's 1954 Fender Stratocaster Musical instrument 2019 Christie's N/a [15]
$1.7 million Barbara Sinatra's engagement ring Jewelry 2018 Sotheby's N/a [25]
$1.6 million Eric Clapton's Rolex Crazy Doc Watch 2022 Phillips Auction N/a [26]
$1.58 million Kurt Cobain's Sky Stang 1 1993 Fender Mustang Musical instrument 2020 Julien's Auctions Mitsuru Sato [27]
$1.56 million Judy Garland's Wizard of Oz dress Dress 2011 Turner Classic Movies Anonymous [10]

By event

Total sales Title event Subject Description Date Industry Auction house Ref.
$61.9 million Annual Summer Platinum Night Sports Auction Mixed sport memorabilia Various items Aug. 23-25/2024 Sports Heritage Auctions [28]
$38.6 million Hollywood/Entertainment Signature® Auction Mixed film memorabilia Various items Dec. 7 2024 Film Heritage Auctions [29]
$21.1 million Game of Thrones: The Auction Game of Thrones 900 items (costumes, props, weapons, and jewelry items) Oct. 10-12/2024 Film Heritage Auctions [30]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ The pair was sold at auction for $28 million by Heritage Auctions (ultimately $32.5 million after auction house's fees are included)[2]

References

  1. ^ Brookins, Laurie (December 7, 2024). "Dorothy's Ruby Slippers Sell for Staggering $28M at Auction". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
  2. ^ a b Gomez, Julia (December 8, 2024). "Dorothy's ruby slippers featured in 'The Wizard of Oz' auction for over $30 million". USA Today. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  3. ^ George Nelson (December 9, 2024). "Dorothy's Red Ruby Slippers from 'The Wizard of Oz' Sell for a Whopping $28 M. at Auction". ART News.
  4. ^ "Baseball legend Babe Ruth's shirt breaks sports memorabilia auction record". Al Jazeera Media Network. August 26, 2024. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  5. ^ Slawson, Nicola (October 28, 2017). "Paul Newman's Rolex watch sells for record $17.8m". The Guardian. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  6. ^ a b Slawson, Nicola (January 26, 2023). "Michael Jordan's 1998 NBA Finals jersey sells for $10.1 million". Fox Sports. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  7. ^ a b Hamilton, Tom (May 4, 2022). "Diego Maradona's 'Hand of God' jersey sells for world-record price at auction". ESPN. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  8. ^ Isherwood, Charles (December 16, 2011). "Once a Star, Always a Star". The New York Times. Archived from the original on September 5, 2012. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  9. ^ Kreps, Daniel (June 20, 2020). "Kurt Cobain's 'MTV Unplugged' Guitar Sells for $6 Million at Auction". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 24, 2023. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  10. ^ a b c Allaire, Christian (April 25, 2024). "The Most Expensive Dresses Ever Sold at Auction". Vogue. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  11. ^ Hartov, Oren (November 8, 2023). "Marlon Brando's Customized Rolex Just Sold for $5 Million". GQ. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
  12. ^ "Marilyn's 'Happy Birthday, Mr. President' Dress Sells for $4.8M". NBC News. Reuters. November 18, 2016. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  13. ^ Mei, Juliana (May 23, 2022). "Kurt Cobain's iconic blue Fender Mustang fetches $4.5 million at auction". Guitar.com. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  14. ^ Malach, Hannah (May 29, 2024). "What Happened to Elizabeth Taylor's Jewelry Collection? Her Massive Diamonds, Historic Pearls and More". Women's Wear Daily. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  15. ^ a b Grow, Kory (June 20, 2019). "David Gilmour's Guitars Sell for Millions at Charity Auction". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on January 3, 2025. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  16. ^ Erickson, Anne (April 20, 2023). "Eddie Van Halen's "Hot for Teacher" Guitar Sells for Nearly $4 Million at Auction". Consequence. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  17. ^ "Most Expensive Sports Memorabilia". Time. p. 10. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  18. ^ "Most expensive baseball sold at auction". Guinness World Records. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  19. ^ Saad, Nardine; Goldberg, Noah (May 31, 2024). "John Lennon's newly repaired 12-string 'Help!' guitar sells for a record $2.85 million". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  20. ^ "John Lennon's guitar sold for $2.4m at auction". The Guardian. Reuters. November 8, 2015. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  21. ^ Lindquist, David (November 10, 2015). "Beatles drum head is Jim Irsay's latest purchase". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  22. ^ "Bob Dylan's Like A Rolling Stone manuscript sells for over $2m". The Guardian. Associated Press. June 24, 2014. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  23. ^ Blistein, Jon (June 1, 2017). "Jerry Garcia's Legendary Wolf Guitar Sells for $1.9 Million at Auction". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  24. ^ Perpetua, Matthew (June 27, 2011). "Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' Jacket Sold For $1.8 Million". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  25. ^ "Sinatra memorabilia, jewellry on sale in New York". France 24. AFP. May 12, 2018. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  26. ^ Sheppard, Amanda (May 6, 2022). "Eric Clapton's Crazy Doc Rolex may fetch US$1.6 million at auction – plus 4 more highlights from Phillips' Geneva Watch Auction: XV, including Patek Philippes and an Audemars Piguet". South China Morning Post. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
  27. ^ Gardner, Josh (2024). "The 15 Most Expensive Guitars Sold At Auction". Guitar.com. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
  28. ^ "Led By Babe Ruth's $24 Million Jersey, Heritage's $61.9 Million Summer Platinum Night Event Shatters All-Time Record for a Sports Auction". Heritage Auctions. August 26, 2024. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  29. ^ Wilonsky, Robert (2024). "Heritage Auctions Celebrates Its Most Successful Year With Total Sales of $1.867 Billion in 2024". Heritage Auctions. Retrieved February 12, 2026. {{cite magazine}}: Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
  30. ^ "Record-Setting 'Game of Thrones' Auction Bags More Than $21 Million". Artnet News. October 15, 2024. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
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