The Rosebud sled from “Citizen Kane,” one of only three such props known to still exist, was auctioned for $14.75 million. Photo courtesy of Heritage Auctions
The iconic Rosebud sled from Orson Welles’ 1941 film Citizen Kane was auctioned for $14.75 million, becoming the second-most expensive piece of movie memorabilia ever sold.
The sled, one of only three known to still survive, has belonged to Gremlins director Joe Dante since he discovered the long-lost prop while working at the old RKO Pictures studio lot in 1984.
Dante put the sled up for sale via Heritage Auctions, and it fetched a price of $14.75 million. The sum is the second-highest ever paid for a piece of movie memorabilia, after the ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz were auctioned by Heritage in 2024 for $32.5 million.
“I’ve had the honor of protecting this piece of cinematic history for decades,” Dante said in a news release. “To see Rosebud find a new home — and make history in the process — is both surreal and deeply gratifying. It’s a testament to the enduring power of storytelling.”
