Rosebud, the sleigh from 'Citizen Kane,' sells for $14 million at auction.

Although it didn't quite sell for the most valuable piece of memorabilia ever auctioned, which remain the iconic shoes worn by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz (the buyer paid $32.5 million), the famous Rosebud sleigh that Orson Welles (or rather, Citizen Kane ) dreamed about in his old age, recalling his childhood, also fetched a substantial sum. It sold for $14.75 million (around €12 million).

It is thus the second most valuable film item ever sold , just behind Judy Garland's shoes, which were sold in December of last year . The buyer is currently unknown, but it is known that the seller was director Joe Dante , helmer of Gremlins and Piranha.

"A crew member who knew I liked classic films approached me with a wooden object and said, 'This is being thrown away, maybe you'd be interested in it,'" Dante said, according to The Guardian . "I'm not sure if he knew it was the sled specifically , but he must have. I was stunned . As a big fan of the film, I happily obliged."

The sleigh's propeller is made primarily of hardwood pine, with the original paint remaining (albeit with signs of wear) and some missing rails, likely donated to a wartime scrap metal collection drive. "I've had the honor of protecting this piece of cinematic history for decades. Watching Rosebud find a new home and make history in the process is both surreal and rewarding. It's a testament to the enduring power of storytelling," he said in a statement.

The exact number of sleds produced for the film is unknown; the auction house says only "a few" were made.

The exact number of sleds produced for the film is unknown; the auction house says only a "few" were made ; one sold to Steven Spielberg in 1982 for $60,500 (€52,204) and another to an anonymous buyer for $233,000 (€201,058) in 1996.

Other sales at auction include a miniature X-wing from filming of The Empire Strikes Back, the Indiana Jones whip originally presented to HRH Prince Charles by Harrison Ford at the royal premiere of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, and the green velvet suit from Austin Powers . Also up for grabs are a nude photograph of Marilyn Monroe , a suit of armour from Ben-Hur, and a Ralph Lauren jacket owned by Audrey Hepburn.

Heritage Executive Vice President Joe Maddalena stressed, "These aren't just props; they're iconic artifacts. They tell the story of Hollywood 's greatest moments, each tied to a memory, a performance, a legend. We're honored to bring them to the fans, collectors, and institutions that will preserve them for generations to come."

Although it didn't quite sell for the most valuable piece of memorabilia ever auctioned, which remain the iconic shoes worn by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz (the buyer paid $32.5 million), the famous Rosebud sleigh that Orson Welles (or rather, Citizen Kane ) dreamed about in his old age, recalling his childhood, also fetched a substantial sum. It sold for $14.75 million (around €12 million).