The iconic 'Rosebud' sled from the 1941 classic Citizen Kane has sold at auction for an astonishing £11 million, cementing its place as one of the most valuable pieces of film memorabilia in history.
The sled, which played a pivotal symbolic role in Orson Welles' groundbreaking masterpiece, was the subject of fierce bidding among collectors and cinephiles at the prestigious auction house. Its final price far exceeded pre-sale estimates, underscoring the enduring cultural significance of Citizen Kane.
A Piece of Cinema History
Measuring just over four feet long, the original pinewood sled featured prominently in the film's climactic revelation scene. For decades after the film's release, the whereabouts of the actual prop remained unknown until it was rediscovered in a California warehouse in the 1980s.
Why 'Rosebud' Matters
The sled's inscription 'Rosebud' represents one of the most famous McGuffins in cinematic history - the mysterious word uttered by dying newspaper magnate Charles Foster Kane that drives the film's narrative. Film scholars have long debated its meaning, with interpretations ranging from childhood innocence to lost love.
Record-Breaking Sale
This sale sets a new benchmark for film memorabilia auctions, surpassing previous records held by:
- Dorothy's ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz (£1.6m)
- The DeLorean from Back to the Future (£3.8m)
- James Bond's Aston Martin DB5 (£2.4m)
The anonymous buyer has reportedly pledged to loan the artifact to major film museums for public display.
