More than 700 costumes, scripts, awards and memorabilia from the estate of American film star John Wayne fetched over $5.38million (about R78m) during a two-day event hosted by Heritage Auctions in conjunction with John Wayne Enterprises.
Dozens of items fetched at least twice or treble their pre-auction estimates.
Marion Mitchell Morrison, known professionally as John Wayne and nicknamed “Duke”, was among the top box office draws for three decades. The legendary cowboy star died in 1979 at the age of 72.
Top items included the signature green woollen beret worn by Wayne in the patriotic movie The Green Berets, which realised $179250.
His Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for the 1969 film True Grit fetched $143400 and the cowboy hat from Big Jake and The Cowboys brought in $119500.
Other items that fetched high prices included Wayne’s last driving licence and his iconic eye patch from the Oscar-nominated True Grit.
More than 2600 Wayne fans, from around the world, submitted bids in person or online. - Auctions Writer