WHAT: A white 2003 Cadillac Escalade ESV used by actor James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano in the HBO hit series “The Sopranos” brought $119,776.83 in a recent RR Auction sale in Boston. Leased through Movie Time Cars, Inc., the vehicle was one of two identical autos used during filming. The interior was autographed with felt-tip pen and inscribed in three places by Gandolfini, who died in 2013.
MORE: The car was used for exterior shots, many involving Tony Soprano entering, sitting inside and exiting the vehicle. Sharp-eyed fans will remember it in Soprano’s driveway, at the Bada Bing strip joint and at Satriale’s Pork Store. It was also used for scenes involving dialogue. The car sold with the New Jersey plates used in shooting, an official prop license for Anthony Soprano.
SMART COLLECTORS KNOW: The face time mentioned above is important to collectors. In the biz, it’s called screen-used. For top dollar, a prop must have been prominently used on camera.
HOT TIP: A 1999 Chevrolet Suburban from Sopranos seasons 1 through 4 sold for $110,000 in 2013.
BOTTOM LINE: Originally bought at auction with about 100,000 miles on it, this vehicle now has 108,000-plus miles. Where but in the memorabilia world would an 11-year-old vehicle with such mileage bring that kind of money?
