Rosebud Sled from Citizen Kane Auctioned for Nearly $15 Million

A rare sled from the iconic film Citizen Kane has sold at auction for a remarkable $14.75 million. The wooden Rosebud sled, vital to the film's narrative, was saved from destruction years ago and has now become one of the most expensive film memorabilia ever sold.

In a historic auction, a pivotal prop from the classic film Citizen Kane famously known as the Rosebud sled was sold for an impressive $14.75 million (£11m). This wooden sled, which is one of at least three surviving pieces from the film, has been a symbol of cinematic legacy and was salvaged from obscurity when it was given to director Joe Dante in 1984. The sled's iconic association with the film's opening scene and its thematic significance in the storyline has solidified its status in Hollywood history.

The sale marks the sled as the second most expensive piece of movie memorabilia ever sold; the record is still held by a pair of ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz, which went for a staggering $32 million (£23.9m) in December. Joe Maddalena, executive vice president at Heritage Auctions, underscored the significance of the Rosebud sled alongside the ruby slippers, highlighting its status as one of the most recognizable artifacts in Hollywood.

The buyer's identity has not yet been disclosed, but the Rosebud sled had been hidden away for years until Dante, while working on his project Explorers at the former RKO Pictures studio which produced Citizen Kane, was offered the sled by a crew member. Dante’s immense admiration for the film made the acquisition particularly meaningful. He emphasized that owning a prop central to the film's heart, which is known as potentially the greatest film ever made, carries great importance for any director.

This auction serves not only as a reminder of Citizen Kane’s influence but also of the enduring interest in film history and the artifacts that define it.