Popular Culture

Bonhams' Popular Culture Department is a market leader in celebrity memorabilia, offering artefacts related to the 20th century's most prominent actors, musicians, and entertainers. These include vintage film and music posters, original handwritten lyrics, rare autographs, photographic archives, animation artwork, film-used props, significant musical instruments, vintage fashion, screen- and stage-worn costumes, awards, and other extraordinary items.

Among our notable single-owner sales are the collections of Sir Richard Attenborough, Charlton Heston, Lauren Bacall, Peter Green, Gary Moore, Siegfried & Roy, Dame Diana Rigg, Sir Michael Caine, Sir Roger Moore and Rory Gallagher– to name a few.

We hold three of the Top 10 world records for film memorabilia sold at auction. Bonhams held the highest world record from 2017-2024 with Robby the Robot from MGM's 'Forbidden Planet' (1956), which achieved $5.3 million.

Other notable results include (with fees):
• The piano from 'Casablanca' on which Sam plays "As Time Goes By", $3.4 million
• The Maltese Falcon statuette from the 'The Maltese Falcon', $4 million
• Bert Lahr's cowardly Lion costume from the 'Wizard of Oz', $3 million
• The Crown Auction, featuring sets, costumes and props from the Netflix Series, £1.7 million
• Judy Garland's gingham dress from the 'Wizard of Oz', $1.56 million
• The EMI TG12345 Mk IV recording console used by Pink Floyd at Abbey Road Studios, $1.7 million
• Eric Clapton's sale of Guitars and Amps in aid of the Crossroads Centre, $1.9 million
• Sir Roger Moore: The Personal Collection, £1.1 million
• Sir Michael Caine: The Personal Collection, £847,000
• Alligator! Jerry Garcia's Fender Stratocaster guitar, $524,000
• The Rory Gallagher Collection, £2.54 million

Buying and Selling Entertainment Memorabilia at Bonhams

Since our founding in the late 1980s, Bonhams' Popular Culture department has demonstrated a level of dedication to this auction category that surpasses our competition. Our memorabilia attract enthusiasts and collectors from around the world, eager to own a piece of cultural history.

Our highly respected team of experts and innovative specialists in London, New York, and Los Angeles work collaboratively to present property at auction in the most effective manner. We take pride in sharing the story behind each item and in providing a tailored auction experience for both our buyers and sellers.

Contact us directly to consign an artwork or visit our Digital Selling Hub for a free auction estimate.