If you’ve ever wanted to own a genuine piece of cinematic history, not a replica, not a reissue, but the real thing, then March in Los Angeles is about to get very expensive.
Because next month, some of the most recognisable props in movie history are going under the hammer, and the headline act is a weapon that made generations afraid to go back in the water.
The harpoon gun wielded by Robert Shaw’s Quint in Jaws is expected to fetch between $250,000 and $500,000. Yes, up to half a million dollars for the very prop used in Steven Spielberg’s 1975 masterpiece, presented a year after the film’s landmark 50th anniversary. It even comes with its original case, a detail that will only push collectors further into a bidding frenzy.
And that’s not the only slice of Amity Island folklore on offer. The Fenwick fishing rod and reel used by Shaw during one of Quint’s encounters with the shark is also set to be auctioned, carrying an estimate of $75,000 to $150,000. For serious film aficionados, these aren’t just props. They’re artefacts from one of the most important blockbusters ever made.
But this isn’t a one-franchise show.
The three-day Propstore event, running from March 25 to 27 in Los Angeles, also dives headfirst into a galaxy far, far away. A light-up C-3PO head from 1980’s Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back carries a pre-sale estimate of $350,000 to $700,000. That’s right, the golden dome of everyone’s favourite protocol droid could approach three-quarters of a million dollars.
There’s also Rey and Luke Skywalker’s lightsaber hilt from Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015), seen during Rey’s confrontation with Kylo Ren, estimated at $50,000 to $100,000. Not quite Death Star money, but still serious collector territory.
Elsewhere, Ridley Scott’s Gladiator is represented by an arena helmet and mask expected to sell for between $125,000 and $250,000. A golden ticket from 1971’s Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory carries an estimate of $80,000 to $160,000. And the volleyball “Wilson” from Cast Away? That emotional co-star is priced between $150,000 and $300,000.
In total, more than 1,550 lots will be available for worldwide bidding, with a combined pre-sale estimate of $9 million.
Propstore’s Chief Operating Officer Brandon Alinger summed up the scale of the event: “This auction brings together some of the most significant artefacts in cinema history, spanning landmark films, iconic characters, and extraordinary moments of filmmaking.
“The inclusion of the Jaws harpoon gun and fishing rod is particularly special, as pieces from this film almost never surface at this level.
“At Propstore, we see ourselves as caretakers of film history, and it's always rewarding to help place these remarkable items into new collections where they can be preserved and appreciated for generations to come.”
In other words: if you’ve got deep pockets and a love of film history, now is your moment.
Just maybe avoid swimming afterwards.
