A floating door prop from the movie 'Titanic' sold for $718,750 at The Treasures of Planet Hollywood auction, becoming the highest-selling item among 16 props that sold for over $100,000. The auction featured props from various iconic films, including Spider-Man 3 and Bram Stoker's Dracula. The door, which saved Rose in the film, outperformed other items such as Indiana Jones' bullwhip. The auction also included costumes and props from films like The Silence of the Lambs and A Few Good Men. The debate over whether Jack could have survived on the door in the movie's ending scene was addressed by director James Cameron in a documentary. Titanic, released in 1997, was a groundbreaking film that earned $1.84 billion at the box office and remains one of the highest-grossing films of all time [29a783d7].
A couple from Katy, Texas, Betsy and Harry Proctor, have turned their hobby of restoring vintage movie posters into a successful business. They opened The Limited Edition Art & Antiques store in 1994, which is known worldwide for its movie posters. The Proctors got into the poster restoration business fifteen years ago when their son bought a poster and spent $600 to get it linen backed. They now sell the restored posters internationally through their website. The Proctors have sold posters for their art value, sentimental value, and image appeal. The highest-selling poster was a Star Wars concert poster signed by composer John Williams, which sold for $11,000 to a buyer in Hong Kong. The Proctors believe that as movie theaters move to digital formats, the appeal for vintage posters will increase because they will become harder to find.
In addition to the Proctors' success in vintage movie poster restoration, there is a growing trend in collecting music memorabilia from the 1970s. High-profile auctions of musicians like Freddie Mercury and Eric Clapton have contributed to the popularity of collecting music memorabilia from the 1970s. The era is known for its creativity and diversity, making it appealing to collectors. Experts recommend considering the popularity of the artist, checking the provenance of the item, and buying from reputable sources when starting a music memorabilia collection. Additionally, certain items can have significant financial value.
Recently, there has been an auction in Co Meath featuring vintage movie posters and military items. The Victor Mee Battlefields & Silver Screens auction showcased an eclectic mix of militaria, movie memorabilia, and silver. Notable items included a framed Fenian sash, a 19th-century UVF Vetterli rifle stamped 'For God and Ulster', and film posters for Jaws, Lawrence of Arabia, and A Clockwork Orange. Another auction in Co Meath included the sale of the contents of Middleton Park House, with the top item being an 18ct white gold Ceylon sapphire and diamond ring. Bonhams in London also had Irish-associated sales, including a work by Frederic William Burton and a series of letters from George Bernard Shaw. Sotheby's had a limited-edition collection of The Writings Of Oscar Wilde available for purchase. Additionally, a special fundraising event in Co Waterford auctioned works by local and internationally acclaimed artists in memory of Cian Nugent, with proceeds going to the Helvick Head RNLI.
On March 23, 1925, the most expensive film of the silent cinema era, 'Ben Hur', was released. The film had a budget of $3.9 million. This historical event highlights the significance of film history and the impact of iconic movies on popular culture. The release of 'Ben Hur' marked a milestone in the development of the film industry and showcased the grandeur and spectacle that silent films were capable of achieving. The film's success and enduring legacy continue to influence filmmakers and audiences to this day.
