Dinosaurs, droids and holy hand-grenade up for grabs at film auction
Syd Wragg, who wore this Stormtrooper helmet in the film "Star Wars: A New Hope", tries on the helmet again at a preview of a film and tv memorabilia sale in London, Britain, September 18, 2019. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls
LONDON (Reuters) - Jurassic Park dinosaur skulls, a Star Wars stormtrooper helmet and Monty Python's holy hand grenade are among movie memorabilia going under the hammer in London this month at an auction organizers expect to exceed 6 million pounds ($7.5 million).
Also on sale will be Jack Nicholson's axe from "The Shining" and his purple "Batman" Joker costume.
One of the key pieces is a stormtrooper helmet from the original 1977 "Star Wars" film, expected to fetch up to 180,000 pounds by specialist movie memorabilia retailer Prop Store.
Stephen Lane, CEO of Prop Store, poses for a photograph with the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch from the film "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" at a preview of a film and tv memorabilia sale in London, Britain, September 18, 2019. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls
Despite the thin padding and dodgy visor of the original costume, actor Syd Wragg looked delighted to be reunited with it on Wednesday for the first time since he wore it on set. His name, still visible, is marked in pen on its interior.
Although there was no bang when the pin from the "Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch" was removed, sellers hope for an explosion of interest in the "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" piece as the British comedy celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.
"In true Monty Python style, this is actually built from a ballcock from a toilet system," said Stephen Lane, of the Prop Store, which is organizing the auction.
A R2-BHD droid which featured in "Star Wars: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" (2016) stands in front of the ABC Warrior Robot with Animatronic, Remote Control Head from the film Judge Dredd, at a preview of a film and tv memorabilia sale in London, Britain, September 18, 2019. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls
Prop Store have put around 250 of the 900 lots on display at the BFI Imax building in Waterloo, south London, where the auction will be held.
Fans of the latest outing of Joker might be in for a surprise with the more jovial multi-colored costume on display from Jack Nicholson's turn as the character in "Batman". The particular shade of purple was chosen by Nicholson himself to match that of the L.A. Lakers basketball team, Lane said.
The two-day auction is set for Sept. 30 to Oct. 1, with the public free to view the lots until then.
An employee of Prop Store poses for a photograph with Harry Potter's Hogwart's acceptance letter from the film "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" (2001) at a preview of a film and tv memorabilia sale in London, Britain, September 18, 2019. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls
(Reporting by Tara Oakes; editing by Stephen Addison)
An employee of Prop Store removes from a display a screen-matched Mohawk Gremlin puppet, from the film "Gremlins 2: The New Batch", at a preview of a film and tv memorabilia sale in London, Britain, September 18, 2019. REUTERS/Peter NichollsAn employee of Prop Store poses for a photograph with Russell Crowe's "Maximus" Roman general armour from the film "Gladiator", at a preview of a film and tv memorabilia sale in London, Britain, September 18, 2019. REUTERS/Peter NichollsAn employee of Prop Store poses for a photograph with Batman's complete Batsuit from the film "Batman" and The Riddler's costume from the film "Batman Forever" at a preview of a film and tv memorabilia sale in London, Britain, September 18, 2019. REUTERS/Peter NichollsA journalist films a R2-BHD Droid which featured in "STAR WARS: ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY (2016)" at a preview of a film and tv memorabilia sale in London, Britain, September 18, 2019. REUTERS/Peter NichollsSyd Wragg, who wore this Stormtrooper helmet in the film "Star Wars: A New Hope", tries on the helmet again at a preview of a film and tv memorabilia sale in London, Britain, September 18, 2019. REUTERS/Peter NichollsSyd Wragg, who wore this Stormtrooper helmet in the film "Star Wars: A New Hope", tries on the helmet again at a preview of a film and tv memorabilia sale in London, Britain, September 18, 2019. REUTERS/Peter NichollsStephen Lane, CEO of Prop Store, poses for a photograph with the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch form the film "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" at a preview of a film and tv memorabilia sale in London, Britain, September 18, 2019. REUTERS/Peter NichollsStephen Lane, CEO of Prop Store, poses for a photograph with the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch form the film "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" at a preview of a film and tv memorabilia sale in London, Britain, September 18, 2019. REUTERS/Peter NichollsAn employee of Prop Store poses for a photograph with an Ewok mask, a Stormtroopers' helmet and a prototype of a Tusken Raider mask at a preview of a film and tv memorabilia sale in London, Britain, September 18, 2019. REUTERS/Peter NichollsA R2-BHD droid which featured in "Star Wars: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" (2016) stands in front of the ABC Warrior Robot with Animatronic, Remote Control Head from the film Judge Dredd, at a preview of a film and tv memorabilia sale in London, Britain, September 18, 2019. REUTERS/Peter NichollsAn employee of Prop Store poses for a photograph with the Joker's costume, worn by Jack Nicholson, from the film "Batman" at a preview of a film and tv memorabilia sale in London, Britain, September 18, 2019. REUTERS/Peter NichollsAn employee of Prop Store poses for a photograph with Harry Potter's Hogwart's acceptance letter from the film "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" (2001) at a preview of a film and tv memorabilia sale in London, Britain, September 18, 2019. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls
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