WHAT: When a 7-foot-tall Robby the Robot, along with his futuristic jeep, from the 1956 MGM film “Forbidden Planet” sold at Bonhams New York for $5.3 million in November 2017, the result broke world records for a movie prop at auction.
Previous records were $4 million in 2013, also at Bonhams, for the 12-inch-tall Maltese falcon from the film noir of the same name, and $4.6 million in 2011 for the white pleated dress worn by Marilyn Monroe in “The Seven Year Itch.”
MORE: Fully functional, Robby has three interlocking pieces. He sold with the jeep he uses on distant planet Altair IV, plus original MGM packing crates for both.
SMART COLLECTORS KNOW: Credit Bonhams’ partnership with Turner Classic Movies (TCM) for bringing high-interest memorabilia to auction. The 2017 sale was the fifth auction in the collaboration.
HOT TIP: Robby’s rounded appearance, made of plastic, rubber, metal, wood, acetate and Perspex, signaled a departure from traditional sci-fi “tin can” robots. He was the apex of a 1950s look to the future.
BOTTOM LINE: The record-breaking lot came to auction from a filmmaker and collector. According to Bonhams, the house was packed with viewers but all bidding action for the lot happened by phones. Big bidders prefer to remain anonymous.
2018: Follow the new year through calendars related to collecting. All these 2018 wall calendars are from Workman Publishing.
“Out on the Porch” ($14.99) features wonderful porches, most filled with comfy vintage furniture and accent pieces.
“Cynthia Hart’s Victoriana” ($15.99) offers layers of Victorian die-cut romantic froth on colorful pages.
“The Collectible Teapot & Tea” ($14.95) shows months of antique, vintage and contemporary tea pots and tea table settings.
