Iconic Rosebud Sled from Citizen Kane Sells for Nearly $15 Million

A Rosebud sled from the classic film Citizen Kane has been sold for $14.75 million, marking it as one of the most expensive pieces of film memorabilia. Originally rescued from destruction in 1984, it has become a symbol of Hollywood history, now boasting a storied past and important connections to notable directors.

One of the iconic wooden sleds used in the opening scene of the cinematic masterpiece Citizen Kane has been sold at auction for a remarkable $14.75 million (£11 million). This particular sled, famously known as Rosebud, is one of at least three that have survived the passage of time, with its existence long thought to be lost until it surfaced in the possession of director Joe Dante in 1984, saving it from potential destruction. Dante incorporated the sled as an Easter egg in his films, notably Gremlins 2: The New Batch. The sale places this sled as the second most valuable film memorabilia ever auctioned, following a pair of ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz which garnered a whopping $32 million (£23.9 million) last December.

Joe Maddalena, executive vice president of Heritage Auctions, expressed the cultural importance of the sled, stating that "along with Dorothy's ruby slippers, the Rosebud sled from Citizen Kane is one of the most iconic objects in Hollywood history." The identity of the buyer remains undisclosed, adding an air of mystery to the high-profile sale.

The significance of the name Rosebud is crucial to uncovering the character Charles Foster Kane's emotional journey, a theme central to the film, released in 1941. Several other Rosebud sleds have changed hands over the years, including one acquired by legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg, who later donated it to the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles.

Dante shared an anecdote about the sled's discovery while he was filming Explorers in 1984 on the former RKO Radio Pictures lot where Citizen Kane was produced. When a crew member learned about Dante's passion for vintage films, he offered him the sled, to which Dante enthusiastically agreed. "I was astonished... Since I am a huge fan of the movie, I said, 'Yeah, I'll be glad to take it,'” he recalled, underscoring the treasured connection between the object and the film.

To Dante, the sled represents the linchpin of the narrative within Citizen Kane, emphasizing its importance and the profound impact it has had on cinema. As the film continues to be celebrated as potentially the greatest of all time, the Rosebud sled serves as a tangible piece of that legacy, now part of the rich tapestry of film history.